Rescue Ops Underway To Find Migrant Workers Trapped In Illegal Meghalaya Mine

One suspect has been detained but he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently undergoing quarantine at a government facility, police said.

Rescue operations were underway on Tuesday to trace at least five migrant workers from Assam and Tripura who were trapped inside a rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia district, officials said. The incident took place in Umpleng area on Sunday when water gushed in and inundated the mine after a dynamite explosion. A manhunt has been launched to arrest the ''sordar'' (mine manager) who fled the scene and threatened others against talking about the incident, Superintendent of Police Jagpal Singh Dhanoa said. One suspect has been detained but he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently undergoing quarantine at a government facility at Khliehriat, he said.