Guwahati, January 8: The body of one of the nine workers trapped inside a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district was recovered by army divers on Wednesday on the third day of the rescue operations, officials said. The chances of the survival of the eight others appear grim, though a team of navy, army, NDRF and SDRF personnel intensified their efforts to rescue the trapped miners, they said.

The labourers were on Monday trapped inside the coal mine situated in the 3 Kilo area of Umrangso, after a sudden gush of water flooded the site. The divers located the body inside the mine early in the morning and its identity was yet to be ascertained, the officials said. Army Engaged in Rescuing Workers Trapped in Assam Coal Mine.

One Body Recovered From Coal Mine at Umrangso

“21 Para divers have just recovered a lifeless body from the bottom of the well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the grieving family,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X. Sarma said the rescue operations were continuing in full swing, with divers of the army and NDRF having already entered the well. UP: Two Labourers Killed After Portion of Hill Falls on Them During Mining Operation in Mahoba.

The navy personnel are at the site, making final preparations to dive in after them, he said. Sarma had on Tuesday said the mine "appears to be illegal", and that the police have arrested one person in connection with the incident.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)