The death toll in the illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 28, after two more bodies were recovered on Saturday and one injured worker succumbed to his injuries in hospital, officials said.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Commandant HPS Kandari told ANI that rescue teams recovered two bodies during ongoing operations. “As per information from the district administration, 18 bodies were recovered on February 5, four on February 6, and two today. Three NDRF teams are engaged in search and rescue operations,” he said.
Rescue efforts remain underway at the blast site in the Thangskai area, where several workers are still feared trapped.
Injured Worker Dies in Hospital
Meanwhile, the toll increased further after an injured worker receiving treatment at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, died on Friday afternoon. NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Prof (Dr) Suvamoy Chakraborty identified the deceased as Nar Bahadur, who passed away at 2:55 pm despite intensive medical care.
“We received nine patients, with the last arriving around 12:30 am. Unfortunately, Nar Bahadur could not survive,” he said.
Hospital authorities said eight injured workers remain under treatment:
Raju Tamang and Jamil Ahmed suffered 70–75% burn injuries and are on ventilator support in the Critical Care Unit. Their condition is critical.
Dev Malakar and Lalit Magar have around 50% burns and are admitted in the medical ICU. They are critical but responding to treatment.
Bam Bahadur (50% burns), Dawa Sherpa (60–70%), Shanky Shila (about 60%), and Kaurna Mangal (25–30%) are admitted to an isolated ENT ward due to ICU bed shortages.
A dedicated team of burn and plastic surgeons, along with critical care specialists, is monitoring all patients closely.
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