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{{Short description|Mining disaster}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}{{Infobox event|date={{start and end dates|2018|12|13|2019|3|2}}|location=[[Meghalaya]], India
|outcome= 5 escaped, 2 confirmed deaths, 13 missing|title=|coordinates={{coord|25.5602913|92.1936813|type:event|display=inline,title}}|image=IN-ML.svg}}

The '''Meghalaya mining accident''' happened on 13 December 2018, when 15 miners were trapped in a mine in ''Ksan,'' in the [[India]]n state of [[Meghalaya]]. While five miners managed to escape, rescue efforts for the remaining 10 continued till 2 March 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/13-feared-dead-in-meghalaya-coal-mine/article25736100.ece|title=13 feared dead in Meghalaya coal mine|last=Karmakar|first=Rahul|date=13 December 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/meghalaya/meghalaya-mine-collapse-have-sought-powerful-pumps-they-will-arrive-soon-says-coal-india-5512614/|title=Meghalaya mine collapse: Have sought powerful pumps, they will arrive soon, says Coal India|date=28 December 2018|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://weather.com/en-IN/india/news/news/2018-12-27-trapped-meghalaya-miners-rescue|title=Rescue Ops On, but No Update on Trapped Miners in Flooded Meghalaya Mine|date=27 December 2018|website=The Weather Channel|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> After manually digging using a banned process known as [[rat-hole mining]], the miners were trapped inside the coal mine at a depth of around {{convert|370|ft|m|abbr=off|sp=us}} in [[Jaintia Hills district]]. The tunnel the miners were in flooded with water after they cut into an adjacent mine which was full of water from the nearby Lytein river.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/no-lessons-learnt/article25836724.ece|title=No lessons learnt: on Meghalaya mining disaster|last=Editorial|date=27 December 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-12-28|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2018/12/19/tests-confirm-lytein-river-water-entered-coal-mine/|title=Tests confirm Lytein river water entered coal mine|date=19 December 2018|website=The Shillong Times|access-date=2018-12-28|archive-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228175049/http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2018/12/19/tests-confirm-lytein-river-water-entered-coal-mine/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/families-of-miners-trapped-in-meghalaya-seek-miracle/articleshow/67257765.cms|title=Families of miners trapped in Meghalaya seek miracle|date=26 December 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>

Service personnel from the [[National Disaster Response Force|National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)]] and the State Disaster Response Force began operations shortly after the miners were trapped. After a request for assistance from the district administration, teams from [[Coal India]], [[Kirloskar Brothers]], the [[Indian Air Force]] and the [[Indian Navy]] joined the operation to rescue the miners.

== Background ==
In 2014, Meghalaya's yearly coal production was around 6 million tonnes.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/meghalaya/meghalaya-coal-mining-ban-moving-allowed-in-between-the-tragedy-5512662/|title=Meghalaya: Mining ban, moving allowed, in between the tragedy|last=Saha|first=Abhishek|date=28 December 2018|website=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> In 2014, the [[National Green Tribunal Act|National Green Tribunal]] (NGT), a government body that handles [[environmental issues in India]], issued an order banning mining in Meghalaya, specifically banning mining through the [[Rat-Hole Mining|'rat-hole' technique]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" />

But despite the ban, in subsequent orders following petitions by coal mine owners, the National Green Tribunal and the [[Supreme Court of India]] continued to allow transportation of coal dug prior to the enactment of the order on 17 April 2014. On 4 December 2018 the Supreme Court again issued an order that the transportation of coal mined prior to the ban was extended to 31 January 2019.<ref name=":4" /> However NGT as well as anti-mining activists have pointed out that [[illegal mining]] of fresh coal still continues.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/rat-hole-mining-rampant-in-meghalaya-despite-ngt-ban|title=Rat-Hole Mining Rampant in Meghalaya Despite NGT Ban|last=Mukhim|first=D Banjop|date=26 December 2018|website=The Wire|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> In November 2018, two activists were attacked for gathering evidence of illegal [[coal mining]] in the area.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46670140|title=Race to save trapped 'rat-hole' miners|last=Siangshai|first=Sannio|date=24 December 2018|work=BBC|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>

== Rescue attempts ==
Rescue operations started on 13 December. Over 100 service personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force were deployed to rescue the miners.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sonar-system-fails-to-detect-trapped-coal-miners-in-meghalaya-118121500679_1.html|title=Sonar system fails to detect trapped coal miners in Meghalaya|agency=IANS|date=15 December 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> 1,200,000 litres were pumped out of the mine, but this did not help as rain during the rescue operations and water from the river continued to flood the mine.<ref name=":1" /> Divers were also sent into the mine, but they could only reach a depth of 40 feet.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/not-giving-up-but-huge-logistical-challenge-to-rescue-trapped-miners-meghalaya-cm-1418336-2018-12-27|title=Not giving up but huge logistical challenge to rescue trapped miners: Meghalaya CM|last=Shali|first=Pooja|date=27 December 2018|website=India Today|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> Sonar systems as well as cameras failed to detect the miners.<ref name=":2" />

The local administration made a request for pumps and other assistance from state owned Coal India on 20 December 2018. The communication was received by Coal India only on 26 December.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/on-day-15-odisha-team-to-begin-rescue-op-for-15-trapped-in-meghalaya-mine/story-OBFPVsW0UgyzDE8fjxRKNJ.html|title=IAF plane with 20 pumps lands, 200-km drive next to reach trapped miners|last=Parashar|first=Utpal|last2=Mohanty|first2=Debabrata|date=28 December 2018|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> On 28 December the Indian Air Force joined in the operations on 28 December 2018, airlifting pumps to the site. Teams from Coal India and Kirloskar Brothers also provided expertise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalaya-coal-miners-rescue-operation-live-updates-iaf-coal-india-teams-to-reach-today-1969106|title=Meghalaya Rescue Operation Live Updates: Air Force, Coal India Teams To Reach Today|last=Nair|first=Arun|date=28 December 2018|website=NDTV|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/Au85yYzWnKdtfEWG45YOFO/Meghalaya-mining-mishap-Kirloskar-Brothers-offer-high-power.html|title=Meghalaya mining mishap: Kirloskar Brothers offer high power pumps to drain water from mine|agency=PTI|date=27 December 2018|website=Livemint|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> On 29 December, a 15-member diving team from the Indian Navy also joined in the operation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalaya-coal-miners-rescue-operation-live-updates-navy-divers-high-pressure-pumps-to-reach-site-to-1969637|title=Meghalaya Rescue Operation Updates: Navy Divers, High-Pressure Pumps To Reach Site Today|last=Ghosh|first=Aditi|date=29 December 2018|website=NDTV|access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/navy-divers-to-join-rescue-operation-for-trapped-meghalaya-miners/articleshow/67289948.cms|title=Navy divers to join rescue operation for trapped Meghalaya miners|date=28 December 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=2018-12-29}}</ref>

Media reports appeared on 27 December that the miners may be dead on the basis of a statement by a diver of the NDRF, which mentioned the presence of a "foul smell" coming from the mine. The NDRF shortly after clarified that this did not mean the miners were dead, and the foul smell could be coming due to other reasons, such as "stagnated water".<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/meghalaya-mining-accident-foul-smell-in-mine-as-water-stagnates-pumps-will-take-4-more-days-to-arrive/story-vTtrQtXPdMqrY7qkv9T9hI.html|title=Meghalaya mining accident: Foul smell in mine as water stagnates, pumps will take ‘4 more days to arrive’|last=Naqvi|first=Sadiq|date=27 December 2018|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>

After a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India, the [[Solicitor General of India|solicitor general]], [[Tushar Mehta]], informed the court that the rescue efforts were facing additional difficulty because there were no blueprints for the 355-feet mine where the miners were trapped. Water flowing into the mine from the nearby river was also making the operation more difficult.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalaya-mine-rescue-with-no-blueprints-of-illegal-mine-rescue-operation-difficult-centre-to-suprem-1972615|title=With No Blueprints, Meghalaya Mine Rescue Difficult: Centre To Top Court|date=4 January 2019|website=NDTV|agency=PTI|access-date=2019-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/absence-of-blueprint-posing-hurdles-in-rescue-of-trapped-meghalaya-miners-centre-tells-supreme-court/story-w3sg3yKZX8E373lPuA1MUK.html|title=Absence of blueprint posing hurdles in rescue of trapped Meghalaya miners: Centre tells Supreme Court|date=4 January 2019|website=Hindustan Times |access-date=2019-01-05}}</ref>

The Indian Army and Navy decided to cease operations on 2 March 2019. The operation, one of the longest efforts to rescue miners in India, only found two decomposed bodies, which were handed over to family members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/navy-army-decide-to-end-operation-in-meghalayas-mine-tragedy-2001493|title=Navy, Army Decide To End Operation In Meghalaya's Mine Tragedy|date=2 March 2019|website=NDTV|agency=Press Trust of India|access-date=2019-03-02}}</ref>

== Reactions ==
The [[Chief Minister of Meghalaya]], [[Conrad Sangma]], has called for regulation of mining in the state, admitting that illegal mining happens in the state.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/meghalaya-admits-to-illegal-coal-extraction-after-13-get-trapped-in-mine-1962895|title=Meghalaya Admits To Illegal Coal Extraction After 13 Get Trapped In Mine|last=Choudhury|first=Ratnadip|date=15 December 2018|website=NDTV|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref> [[Meghalaya Police]] arrested the owner of the coal mine on 15 December 2018.<ref name=":2" /> Congress leader [[Rahul Gandhi]] criticised the [[Narendra Modi]] government over the issue.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/please-save-the-miners-rahul-gandhi-asks-pm-modi-after-meghalaya-rescue-ops-halted/story-t2dY1swCuk7s37kP9LYagP.html|title=‘15 trapped miners gasp for air...’: Rahul Gandhi takes a shot at PM Modi|date=26 December 2018|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=2018-12-28}}</ref>

After a petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India related to the rescue effort. The Supreme Court said on 3 January 2019:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dead-or-alive-they-should-be-taken-out-supreme-court-says-not-satisfied-with-efforts-to-rescue-15-mi-1971894|title="Every Second Counts": Top Court On Rescue Of Trapped Meghalaya Miners|date=3 January 2019|website=NDTV|editor=Shylaja Varma |access-date=2019-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/we-pray-to-god-all-alive-says-supreme-court-on-trapped-meghalaya-miners-asks-why-army-wasn-t-called/story-KwqQ9oITkb7G2WSqjwtkdN.html|title=‘Not satisfied’ with rescue ops, Supreme Court seeks Centre response|date=3 January 2019|website=Hindustan Times |access-date=2019-01-04}}</ref>

{{Cquote
| quote = "We're not satisfied with rescue operations. No matter whether they are all dead, some alive, few dead or all alive, they should be taken out. We pray to God they are alive."
| author = [[Supreme Court of India]], 3 Jan 2019
}}

== See also ==

* [[Chasnala mining disaster]]
* [[Mining accident]]
* [[Rajpura Dariba Mine VRM disaster]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mining disasters in India]]
[[Category:Coal mining disasters in India]]
[[Category:2018 mining disasters]]
[[Category:2018 in India]]

2018 Meghalaya mining accident - Revision history

উদাহরণ at 04:35, 8 February 2026