Meghalaya coal mine blast toll rises to 31; Barak Valley deaths reach 9

Silchar: The death toll from the Feb 5 coal mine explosion in Meghalaya has risen to 31 after another injured worker succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, officials said. With this latest casualty, the number of victims from Assam’s Barak Valley has climbed to nine.The deceased has been identified as Jamil Ahmed Chaudhury, a resident of Dinanathpur at Katlicherra in Hailakandi district. He had sustained critical injuries while working at the coal mine at Thangskai in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, when the blast occurred earlier this month.Initially treated locally in Meghalaya, Chaudhury was later shifted to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital as his condition worsened, sources said. Despite sustained medical efforts, he passed away at the hospital.Family members said Chaudhury had been working in the mine to support his household. His death has cast a pall of gloom over Dinanathpur and adjoining areas, where relatives and neighbours are mourning the loss. Local residents voiced concern over recurring coal mine accidents and demanded stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies.The Feb 5 blast left several workers critically injured, many of whom were referred to hospitals in Assam for specialised treatment. Officials are yet to release a detailed report on the cause of the explosion, though preliminary findings suggest a possible build-up of explosive gases inside the mine.Authorities in both Meghalaya and Assam continue to monitor the condition of other injured workers.Earlier, Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma announced that the state govt had ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident, stressing that accountability would be enforced and those responsible would face strict legal action. Sources said search and rescue operations at the illegal coal mine site in Thangskai were called off on Tuesday.