The death toll in the explosion in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills mounted to 25 on Friday following the recovery of seven more bodies, Director General of Police I Nongrang said.
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The explosion occurred on Thursday (February 5, 2026) at the mine in the Thangsku area of Umsngat village, prompting the authorities to begin large-scale search and rescue operations involving multiple agencies. Eighteen bodies had been found on Thursday.
"So far, seven additional bodies have been recovered today, taking the total number of deaths to 25. Out of these, 12 bodies have been identified," Ms. Nongrang told PTI.
Search operations are continuing at the site as teams of the State Disaster Response Force, Special Rescue Team and the National Disaster Response Force were pressed into service. Medical teams and ambulances have also been deployed, officials said.
