At least 18 people have been killed in an explosion in an illegally operating coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district. The incident took place in an illegally operating rat-hole mine in a forested area of Thangsku, and authorities received information about it at around 8.45 on Thursday morning. According to police, they received information on Thursday morning about an explosion in a coal mine in Mynsyngat. “Upon verification, it was confirmed that an explosion had taken place inside an illegal coal mine, and several persons were suspected to be trapped. In 2018, yet another tragedy had taken place in East Jaintia Hill when 15 workers were trapped in a rat-hole mine and died there.

Source: Indian Express February 05, 2026 18:20 UTC