Govt to engage navy divers in rescue ops to save trapped miners in EJH

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 10, 2021

The state government has sought the assistance of navy divers for rescuing the five miners trapped inside an illegal coal mine in the state’s East Jaintia Hills District.

“We have written to the ministry of defence to provide us navy divers (for assisting in the rescue operation),” Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told reporters on Thursday.

He said the government is going for all options to rescue the trapped miners.

Asked if there is any possibility for the government to call off the rescue operation, Sangma however said, “Obviously it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that we do all steps and all measures to try and save lives.”

The chief minister had termed the rescue operation to be very difficult and informed despite efforts by the district administration as well as other agencies including NDRF, yet there have been no positive results.

At least 100 rescuers from the NDRF, SDRF and the Fire Service, are camping at the accident site waiting for the water level to come down to about 10 meters in depth because that is the maximum water level they can operate

At least five miners were trapped inside a coal mine in Sutnga Elaka after the tragic accident which took place on the night of May 30.