One miner dead as Indian army divers recover body from flooded coal mine

In India’s northeastern Assam state, on January 6, 2025, a tragic mining incident occurred when at least nine miners became trapped inside a flooded coal mine. The disaster is linked to an influx of water from a nearby unused mine in the Umrangso area of Dima Hasao district. Local officials reported that water surged into the active mine, trapping the miners who were employed under hazardous conditions. Rescuers from various agencies, including the police, navy, army, and the National Disaster Response Force, responded swiftly to the scene despite facing treacherous conditions, including a flooded mine estimated to be 100 feet deep. As the rescue efforts progressed, one body was recovered by army divers, which highlights the immediate tragedy of the situation. The divers utilized cranes to navigate the narrow depths and conducted extensive searches to locate additional victims. Additionally, the Indian Air Force was deployed to deliver high suction pumps to assist with removing water from the comparatively cramped environment of the mine. Previously, on January 5, rescuers discovered personal items, including helmets and slippers, suggesting the miners had attempted to escape, with reports indicating that some workers managed to flee before the water penetrated the mine fully. The Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, suggested that the mine appears to be illegal, prompting the police to arrest one individual connected to the operation. Accidents in illegal mining operations, particularly in the eastern states of India, are alarmingly common due to poor safety measures. The tragedy has drawn attention to the larger issue of illegal coal mining, where many workers rely on the unsafe extraction of coal for their livelihoods. Despite safety regulations, miners often work in perilous conditions, utilizing small