Body of Nepalese citizen recovered; 12 still trapped in Umrongso coal mine
The body of Rajen Sherch, a 42-year-old miner from Nepal's Udaipur district, was recovered early Wednesday morning from a flooded coal mine in 3 Kilo, Umrongso, located in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The discovery, made at 8:45 AM, came as rescue operations resumed despite persistent rainfall and challenging conditions. The post Body of Nepalese citizen recovered; 12 still trapped in Umrongso coal mine appeared first on Hub News.
Guwahati, Jan 8: The body of Rajen Sherch, a 42-year-old miner from Nepal’s Udaipur district, was recovered early Wednesday morning from a flooded coal mine in 3 Kilo, Umrongso, located in Assam’s Dima Hasao district. The discovery, made at 8:45 AM, came as rescue operations resumed despite persistent rainfall and challenging conditions.
According to NDRF spokesperson Amod Kumar, the body was handed over to the police immediately after its retrieval from the submerged mining site. The ongoing rescue mission is being spearheaded by the 1st Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Army Para Divers. Their efforts continue to be hindered by nearly 100 feet of water that has accumulated in the mine.
The rescue operation involves a coordinated effort by the NDRF, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Indian Army, Navy, Assam Rifles, and Fire & Emergency Services. On Tuesday, a specialized naval team from the Eastern Naval Command, equipped with advanced deep-diving gear, joined the mission to enhance recovery efforts.
The 35-member NDRF team, led by Commandant HPS Kandari, has been working tirelessly under difficult conditions. Intermittent rainfall and logistical constraints have significantly slowed progress, officials said.
Local reports indicate that 27 miners, aged between 26 and 57, were inside the mine when the incident occurred. Ten managed to escape, but between 13 and 17 miners remain unaccounted for. The trapped miners hail from Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal.
Among the identified trapped miners are:
Hussain Ali (30), Assam
Jakir Hussain (38), Assam
Sarpa Barman (46), Assam
Mustafa Sheikh (44), Assam
Khusi Mohan Rai (57), Assam
Sanjit Sarkar (35), West Bengal
Lijan Magar (26), Assam
Sarat Goyary (37), Assam
Despite extensive efforts, three bodies have been sighted but remain unretrieved due to the high water levels and equipment challenges, according to an official from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASSDMA).
The high water levels and adverse weather continue to impede the pace of rescue operations. Families of the trapped miners, anxiously awaiting news, have gathered at the site, hoping for breakthroughs in the rescue efforts.
Rescue teams are working around the clock to overcome these significant obstacles. However, officials caution that the operation remains complex and dangerous, with no clear timeline for the retrieval of the remaining trapped miners.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks faced by miners in unsafe working conditions, with calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in the region’s coal mining industry.
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The post Body of Nepalese citizen recovered; 12 still trapped in Umrongso coal mine appeared first on Hub News.
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