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 Hills district on Thursday (February 5, 2026), police said.
Understanding rat-hole mining
East Jaintia Hills district officials said 16 bodies have been recovered so far. Efforts on to rescue others presumed trapped
Death traps: on Meghalaya's illegal mines
The incident occurred in the Thangsku area, Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said to PTI.
