India rescuers race to save men stuck in flooded 'rat-hole' mine

An accident occurred at a coal mine flooded by water in the northeastern Indian state of Assam, and rescuers are racing against time to save trapped miners. According to Reuters, the government stated that rescue teams have found some bodies, but cannot reach them yet, and it is believed that three of the nine trapped miners have died.

The accident happened on Monday morning when floodwaters rushed into the mine shafts, known as "rat-holes," which are narrow, man-made tunnels used for coal extraction. Although India has banned such mining activities since 2014, small illegal mines continue to operate in Assam and other northeastern states.

The Indian Army, which is participating in the rescue efforts, stated in a statement that its personnel arrived at the scene in the morning and are assisting the local government. The statement also said, "Senior officers of the Indian Army will also arrive at the scene to coordinate with the civil administration." The army's rescue contingent includes "divers, engineers, medical personnel, and necessary equipment."

On Monday evening, Assam Police Chief GP Singh said that authorities are verifying the exact number of people trapped. Reports indicate that a dozen miners have successfully escaped, and initial reports suggest "the number of people trapped is in the single digits." The mine is located in the mountainous region of Dima Hasao district, which a senior police officer in the area, Mayank Kumar Jha, told Reuters is very "remote" and "difficult to reach."

In northeastern India, mine-related disasters are not uncommon. In December 2018, an illegal mine in neighboring Meghalaya was flooded by a nearby river, trapping at least 15 people. Five miners managed to escape, but rescue efforts for the others continued until the first week of March the following year, ultimately recovering only two bodies. In January 2024, a fire broke out at a rat-hole coal mine in Nagaland, resulting in the deaths of six workers.