Efforts to rescue five coal miners trapped in an abandoned quarry in Assam's Dima Hasao district have entered a critical stage, with dewatering operations extending into their eighth day on Monday. The incident has become a grim reminder of the perils associated with illegal mining and the risks faced by laborers working under unsafe conditions. As officials race against time, hopes of finding the trapped miners alive are rapidly fading, casting a pall of despair over the region.
The tragic event unfolded on January 6, when nine laborers became trapped in the quarry following a sudden and powerful gush of water that flooded the mine. Four bodies have been recovered so far, while the remaining five miners remain unaccounted for. The rescue operation has been fraught with technical and logistical challenges, as the sheer volume of water and the unstable condition of the quarry have hampered progress.
Specialized dewatering equipment, provided by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Coal India, has been deployed to pump out water from the flooded quarry. Although the water level has dropped significantly, it remains uncertain when the area will be sufficiently cleared to allow rescue teams to safely enter. Officials have expressed growing concerns over the diminishing chances of survival for the trapped miners. “The chances of survival are slim, but we are leaving no stone unturned,” an official told the Press Trust of India (PTI).
A multi-agency task force comprising personnel from the Indian Navy, Army, Assam Rifles, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the district administration has been working tirelessly to locate and rescue the miners. The operation has also employed advanced technology, including an underwater Remote Operating Vehicle (ROV) to capture real-time images and assess the conditions within the mine. These efforts are being closely monitored by Assam's State Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai, who has expressed cautious optimism that the dewatering process might conclude by Tuesday, allowing ground rescue operations to resume.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and ignited a political debate over the prevalence of illegal mining in Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed that the quarry had been abandoned for 12 years and was under the jurisdiction of the Assam Mineral Development Corporation until three years ago. He confirmed that the leader of the trapped miners has been arrested, marking a significant development in the ongoing police investigation into the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demanding the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident. Gogoi has alleged that illegal mining continues unchecked in Assam, facilitated by weak enforcement mechanisms and local complicity. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure such tragedies do not recur. “This incident highlights the systemic failures that endanger workers' lives and degrade our natural resources,” Gogoi stated.
The tragedy has also brought attention to the broader issue of mining safety and regulation in India, particularly in regions where illegal mining is prevalent. Experts have called for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, enhanced monitoring of mining activities, and better support systems for laborers working in high-risk environments.
As rescue teams continue their tireless efforts, the families of the trapped miners remain in a state of anguish, clinging to a sliver of hope that their loved ones will be found alive. The unfolding tragedy has cast a long shadow over the community, underscoring the urgent need for systemic reform and stronger governance to protect vulnerable workers and prevent future disasters. The operation’s outcome will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the region’s mining practices and policies.
