Search operation to trace trapped miners resumes in Meghalaya

The search operation launched to trace at least 14 labourers, trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, resumed Wednesday after it took a hit due to strong winds and heavy rains, police said.

The labourers were reportedly trapped on December 13 after water from nearby Lytein river had gushed into the illegal rat-hole mine at Ksan area Lumthari village, a senior official said.

The exact number of labourers trapped inside the pit could not be ascertained as the mine owners did not maintain a logbook, a top police officer said.

They are now feared dead as water from a nearby river has been gushing into the 370-feet-deep pit.

Incessant rainfall affected Tuesday's operations as the road leading to the mine was not accessible, the officer said.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Assistant Commandant, S K Singh said, "We need to pump out 500 gallons of water per minute to drain out water from the mine."