Body spotted in Meghalaya rat hole mine, but it can’t be pulled out yet

india

Updated: Jan 17, 2019 19:45 IST

Navy’s underwater remote operated vehicle has spotted a body at a mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district where 15 workers were trapped by sudden flooding over a month ago.

“Yes, the Navy operated ROV has found a dead body. They will operate it again today,” said SS Syiemlieh, additional deputy commissioner, East Jaintia Hills. The Navy also confirmed the development on Twitter.

(Read more: Rescuers find skeletons, in search for survivors in Meghalaya mine)

An NDRF official, who did not wish to be identified, said the body of the dead miner, in red T-shirt and jeans, was brought to the mouth of the rat hole by the Navy ROV but could not be identified as it is disfigured. Given the condition of the body, the authorities decided not to pull it out yet.

Chief medical officer of the district was called for an expert opinion. According to NDRF official, the doctor said it may not be able to guarantee that the body can be pulled out intact through the ROV.

#MeghalayaMineTragedy #Flash One body detected by Indian Navy Divers using Underwater ROV at a depth of approx 60 feet and 210 feet inside a rat-hole mine @SpokespersonMoD @DefenceMinIndia @nsitharaman @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/sP1sv6ikRn — SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) January 17, 2019

The authorities are now consulting the families of the miners to decide the future steps to be taken.

Meghalaya deputy chief minister, Prestone Tynsong, said, “Operation is on and we have not given up yet.”

On the question about retrieval of the miner’s body, he said “We have instructed the district administration to contact the family members and discuss with them what they wish to do. We will abide by their choice.”

The Navy has pulled out the ROV from the main shaft and it cannot re-enter the rat hole again till the body is pulled out. The rescue teams and the district administration are waiting for further instructions from the state government.

The rescuers had been trying to pump out the water from the mines, for which high-powered pumps were flown in from Odisha, but did not meet with much success. The Navy then pressed into service the underwater remote operated vehicle to spot the miners.

Only four-wheel-drive SUVs can navigate the three streams and the steep uphill dirt road that the last two-kilometre stretch comprises.

At least 200 rescuers from the Navy, NDRF, the Odisha Fire Service, State Disaster Response Fund, states Fire service and others from CIL and KBL are involved in the multi-agency rescue operations.

Watch: Navy’s ROV spots body in Meghalaya mine where 15 men are trapped

The Supreme Court last week pulled up the state government for its inaction against illegal miners while saying that rescues efforts must continue.

The top court asked the Centre and the Meghalaya government to take help of experts and continue efforts to rescue the miners. “Carry on with your rescue efforts, what if all or at least some are still alive? Miracles do happen,” a bench headed by Justice AK Sikri said.

( with inputs from David Laitphlang)