New Delhi, February 4: The Supreme Court on Monday said that it seems certain that the miners trapped in an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills are dead. The top Court posted the hearing of the PIL to rescue 15 trapped miners for February 5. The miners have been trapped in the rat-hole mine since 13th December 2018. Justice AK Sikri on Monday stated that it seems to be certain that nobody is alive. Bodies ‘Falling Apart’ as Rescue Operations Continue, Families of Miners Demand Decent Burial.

On January 28, the Centre informed the top Court that the body of a person, among the 15 miners trapped was retrieved while another body has been spotted by the Indian Navy. Giving a detailed report of the rescue operations, the Centre said a body was recovered on January 24 during the rescue operation and on January 26, the Navy personnel spotted the second body at about 280 feet. The government added that the search for balance survivors/mortal remains is in progress. The top Court had then posted the matter for further hearing on February 4. What Is Rat-Hole Mining? 15 Meghalaya Miners Trapped in Illegal Mine Waits for Help From Government.

According to reports, the illegal mine, where the miners are trapped, is located at Ksan in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district, about 3.7 km deep inside a forest. It was flooded when water from the nearby Letein river gushed into it. Miners Trapped in Meghalaya's Illegal 'Rat-Hole' Mine Feared Dead.

Earlier, the apex court had expressed dissatisfaction over the steps taken by Meghalaya government to rescue these miners and had said "prompt, immediate and effective" operation was needed to rescue them as it was a matter of life and death. Meghalaya Mining Tragedy: One Body Recovered, Rescue Operation Continues to Find Other Trapped Miners.

On January 11, the Centre had told the court that it has to "believe in miracles" for the 15 miners to come out alive. In its report, the Centre had told the top Court that crores of litres of water was pumped out from the mine and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) of the Indian Navy were already working in the rescue operation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 04, 2019 01:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).