Assam Coal Mine Update: Navy Divers Withdrawn From Rescue Operations

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• Jan 14, 2025 | Parikalpita Gogoi

Digital Desk: As the Umrangso coal mine tragedy entered its ninth day, the navy divers were withdrawn from the rescue operations on Tuesday in the Dima Hasao district of Assam. However, the dewatering exercise is underway for the 340-foot-deep quarry with the help of specialized machines from ONGC and Coal India.

According to reports, the chances of the survival of the other five trapped miners appear to be slim. The officials working tirelessly in the rescue operations have said that it is difficult to predict the completion of rescue and search operations.

The officials said that Navy divers, deployed on the site for the rescue operations since January 7 were withdrawn on Tuesday. A total of nine pumps and six additional pumps have been installed for dewatering from the quarry.

Till now, 4 dead bodies of the trapped miners have been rescued among the nine. The first body was recovered on January 8 by the Indian Navy. The worker was identified as Ganga Bahadur Shrestha of Nepal.

The death toll rose to 4 when three more dead bodies were retrieved on January 11. The deceased workers were identified as Lijan Magar of Umrangso, Khushi Mohan Rai of Kokrajhar, and Sarat Goyary of Sonitpur.

According to sources, the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, and other agencies are giving their best efforts in the rescue operations. The workers were trapped in a coal mine at 3 Kilo, Umrangso after water gushed in from a nearby mine on January 6.

A fully equipped team specialized in deep diving and underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles is working tirelessly for the search and rescue operation of the trapped miners. 

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the leader of the workers was arrested and police are investigating the matter.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the coal mine tragedy.