Three Khotang youths killed, one missing in coal mine blast in India’s Meghalaya

February 9, Kathmandu: Three youths from the same village in Khotang district have died, and one is missing, following an explosion at an illegally operated coal mine in Meghalaya, India.

Those killed have been identified as Purniram Khapangi Magar, 27, Surendra Khapangi Magar, 24, and Nar Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 35, all from Bhanjyang village of Barapokhari Rural Municipality-1, Khotang. The explosion occurred on February 5.

Another Nepali worker, Ratna Rai, 50, of Jorkafal village in Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-5, Khotang, is reported missing. Nepali workers based in Meghalaya have informed local authorities and the victims’ families about the incident.

According to Indian media reports, the blast took place in Mynsyngat village of the Thangsko area, about 22 kilometres from Khliehriat, the headquarters of East Jaintia Hills district. The bodies of the deceased were severely burned and remain unrecognisable, reports said. Rai had gone to India for employment around six months ago.

Three other Nepali workers were critically injured in the blast. They are Karna Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 46, and Bam Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 40, of Barapokhari Rural Municipality-1, Khotang, and Lalit Lungeli Magar of Saune village in Udayapur district. They are undergoing treatment at a local health facility in Meghalaya.

A Nepali worker in Meghalaya, Tara Bal Magar of Barapokhari, said the injured are receiving medical care. Families of the deceased have faced difficulties in bringing the bodies back to Nepal, local sources said.