New Delhi, December 28: In a bid to accelerate the rescue operations in Meghalaya, an Indian Airforce aircraft carrying National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and equipment has taken off from Bhubaneswar on Friday. According to a tweet by ANI, the Indian Air Force C-130J transport airport has departed for providing additional help to the rescue process of trapped miners in Meghalaya. The aircraft is scheduled to land in Guwahati in Assam.
Also, the Kirloskar Brothers, a major pump manufacturing company has offered high power pumps to drain out water from the mine in Meghalaya. A total of 15 diggers have been trapped in a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Ksan area of Lumthari village since December 13. These miners were trapped in the illegal pit after water from nearby Lytein River gushed into the mine. What Is Rat-Hole Mining? 15 Meghalaya Miners Trapped in Illegal Mine Waits for Help From Government.
On December 13, about 20 miners entered the quarry owned by Krip Chullet in Meghalaya. Reports inform that after reaching the bottom of the pit, the miners entered horizontal manholes, often termed as 'rat-holes', as each just about fits one person. Miners Trapped in Meghalaya's Illegal 'Rat-Hole' Mine Feared Dead.
Earlier this week, the authorities in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district temporarily suspended rescue operations. The exercise will resume once more powerful pumps are made available to district authorities, district Deputy Commissioner, FM Dopth was quoted by PTI.
According to reports, a man has been arrested in connection with the mine mishap. The man admitted that he was the owner of the 370-foot-deep illegal quarry. Reports informed that two mine managers, Mohesh and James Sukhlain, are still on the run.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 28, 2018 10:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).