Heartbreaking Assam Mine Tragedy: Brave Divers Recover Miner’s Body Despite Daunting Visibility Challenges

In a challenging rescue operation, the body of one of the nine miners trapped in a flooded coal mine in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, central Assam, has been recovered. The miner, identified as Ganga Bahadur Srestho from Nepal’s Udayapur district, was found by divers from the Indian Army’s 21 Para Special Forces and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) on Wednesday morning, approximately 48 hours after becoming trapped. The rescue teams faced difficult conditions, battling low visibility due to murky water in the mine.

Special DGP Harmeet Singh, overseeing the rescue efforts, reported that four divers successfully retrieved Srestho’s body from about 85 feet inside the mine. Despite ongoing dewatering efforts, water levels remain high, suggesting a subterranean connection to an unknown water source.

This multi-agency operation includes the Indian Army, NDRF, Indian Navy, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). A high-power ONGC pump was airlifted to the site, alongside additional equipment from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Coal India experts are also present, providing technical support.

The search for the remaining eight miners concluded on Wednesday afternoon with reconnaissance conducted by underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), employing SONAR technology, deployed by the Indian Navy, which dispatched an officer and eleven skilled sailors for the mission. Coordination and information exchange between the agencies are crucial as the search and rescue operations continue at this challenging site.

The tragedy has prompted an intense government response to ensure swift and effective action, demonstrating national solidarity and expertise in emergency rescue operations amidst such dire circumstances.

Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/01/08/assam-mine-tragedy-divers-retrieve-body-of-miner-amid-visibility-challenges/
Category : NATIONAL,News Alert,REGIONAL
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Publish Date: 2025-01-08 18:26:00