Rescuers have concluded a grueling 44-day search operation after discovering the bodies of five miners trapped inside a flooded coal mine in Assam, a northeastern state of India. The tragedy unfolded on January 6 when a sudden influx of water inundated the so-called “rat-hole” mine, a dangerous and narrow pit that is dug manually for coal extraction.
State officials reported that DNA tests will be conducted to confirm the identities of the found individuals, as the remains have entered a decomposed state. Initially, four bodies were recovered within the first week of the search, prompting hopes for the remaining five miners. However, it was only on the last day of the operation that the others were located.
The search efforts were complicated by the hazardous conditions within the mine, coupled with the sheer difficulty of the rescue operation, as rescuers faced both safety risks and challenging terrain. This incident has reignited discussions about the safety regulations surrounding illegal mining practices in the region, underscoring the perilous nature of rat-hole mining that often leads to such disasters.
