Heart-Wrenching Umrangso Mine Tragedy: Navy Divers Withdrawn, Five Labourers Desperately Missing
Dewatering operations at an abandoned quarry in Assam’s Dima Hasao district have persisted for nine days as of January 14, resulting in the withdrawal of navy divers from rescue efforts. The quarry, situated in Umrangso, approximately 250 km from Guwahati, trapped nine workers on January 6 following a sudden water inundation. Four bodies have been recovered, but hopes fade for the remaining five trapped workers.
Efforts to lower the quarry’s water level, initially at 100 feet deep, continue with specialized machinery supplied by ONGC and Coal India. Despite gradual progress, with a three-meter reduction as reported on Monday, officials are uncertain about when the water will be entirely drained or when search and rescue missions will resume.
Navy divers, deployed since January 7, have now exited the operation. Rescue endeavors continue with nine pumps in action, complemented by six additional pumps on standby. The operation is a joint effort involving the army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and district authorities. An underwater remote-operating vehicle is regularly deployed to capture images of the trapped miners.
The first body was located on January 8, with three more recovered on the following Saturday. The quarry, reportedly abandoned for 12 years, was under the Assam Mineral Development Corporation until three years ago. In light of this incident, the leader of the workers has been detained, and police have launched an investigation.
In response, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the tragedy. He alleges ongoing illegal mining activities are perpetuated by insufficient law enforcement and local complicity in the region.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/umrangso-mine-tragedy-navy-divers-withdrawn-from-rescue-ops-five-labourers-still-missing-1154346-2025-01-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-01-14 12:37:00
