At least 16 labourers killed in blast at illegal coal mine in Meghalaya; several feared trapped

At least 16 people were killed, and several labourers were feared trapped after an explosion occurred in a suspected illegal coal mine at a village in Meghalaya's East Jaintia HillsJaintia HillsJaintia Hills district on Thursday (February 5, 2026), police said.

East Jaintia Hills district officials said 16 bodies have been recovered so far. Efforts on to rescue others presumed trapped

The incident occurred in the Thangsku area, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said to PTI.

The police have sought assistance from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to carry out rescue operations at the site. "The SDRF team are yet to come," Mr. Kumar said.