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Divers find India mine worker body | Divers find India mine worker body |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Indian navy divers have found the body of a worker who was trapped with 14 others inside a flooded coal mine in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya. | Indian navy divers have found the body of a worker who was trapped with 14 others inside a flooded coal mine in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya. |
The men had entered the illegal pit, known as a "rat hole", on 13 December, and were trapped when floodwater from a nearby river poured in. | The men had entered the illegal pit, known as a "rat hole", on 13 December, and were trapped when floodwater from a nearby river poured in. |
An underwater vehicle first detected the body at a depth of 160ft (48m), the navy said. | |
The fate of the other trapped miners is unclear. | The fate of the other trapped miners is unclear. |
The navy added that the body would be brought out from the mine under the supervision of doctors. | The navy added that the body would be brought out from the mine under the supervision of doctors. |
The Indian Navy gave some details of the operation in a series of tweets early on Thursday. | The Indian Navy gave some details of the operation in a series of tweets early on Thursday. |
Some 200 rescuers have been deployed to the site, where they have been trying to drain the mine. | Some 200 rescuers have been deployed to the site, where they have been trying to drain the mine. |
It is not clear whether the other miners are still alive - only three helmets had been recovered prior to the discovery of the body. | It is not clear whether the other miners are still alive - only three helmets had been recovered prior to the discovery of the body. |
Earlier rescue efforts by India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were hampered by a lack of equipment. Initially, only two low-power pumps were on hand to drain the water. | Earlier rescue efforts by India's National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) were hampered by a lack of equipment. Initially, only two low-power pumps were on hand to drain the water. |
The 370ft (112m)-deep coal mine where the workers are trapped lies in the remote East Jaintia Hills district. | The 370ft (112m)-deep coal mine where the workers are trapped lies in the remote East Jaintia Hills district. |
Rat-hole mining involves digging pits into the ground to create a narrow hole to find coal, and is dangerous for those involved. Workers, including children, descend into the mines using bamboo ladders and accidents are common. | Rat-hole mining involves digging pits into the ground to create a narrow hole to find coal, and is dangerous for those involved. Workers, including children, descend into the mines using bamboo ladders and accidents are common. |
The practice was banned in 2014, but mine owners have challenged the ruling in India's Supreme Court. | The practice was banned in 2014, but mine owners have challenged the ruling in India's Supreme Court. |
Most of Meghalaya's illegal miners are migrant labourers who come from neighbouring states to earn money. | Most of Meghalaya's illegal miners are migrant labourers who come from neighbouring states to earn money. |
India is the world's third largest coal-producing nation and coal provides 60% of the country's energy needs, but the industry is poorly regulated. | India is the world's third largest coal-producing nation and coal provides 60% of the country's energy needs, but the industry is poorly regulated. |
Workers, who are often faced with life-threatening situations, have little protection from health hazards. | Workers, who are often faced with life-threatening situations, have little protection from health hazards. |