After a grueling 44-day rescue and recovery operation, the bodies of all nine miners trapped in a collapsed illegal coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district have finally been recovered. The tragic incident, which has gripped the state and the nation, ended on a somber note as the last of the deceased was brought to the surface, marking the end of a harrowing ordeal for the miners’ families and the rescue teams.
The mine collapse occurred on December 11, 2024, in an illegal rat-hole mine in the remote Laisong area of Dima Hasao, a hilly and forested region notorious for unregulated mining activities. The miners, who hailed from neighboring states including Meghalaya and Nagaland, had been working deep underground when the tunnel caved in, trapping them under tons of debris.
Rescue operations were hampered by the difficult terrain, poor weather conditions, and the fragile structure of the mine itself. Initial efforts to reach the miners were slowed by the lack of proper equipment and the threat of further cave-ins. As days turned into weeks, hope for finding any survivors gradually faded.
Local authorities, aided by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), toiled relentlessly, often facing dangerous conditions within the crumbling mine. Oxygen levels inside the tunnel were critically low, and the presence of toxic gases posed additional hazards. Heavy machinery was brought in to clear the debris, but progress was painstakingly slow due to the mine’s narrow passages and unstable walls.
Family members of the trapped miners camped near the site, holding on to the faint hope that their loved ones might be rescued alive. Their anxiety turned into grief as rescue teams began retrieving bodies one after another. The final body was recovered on January 24, 2025, bringing the total death toll to nine.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of government support. He also emphasized the need to crack down on illegal mining activities in the state, which continue to pose significant risks to human lives and the environment. “This tragedy is a stark reminder of the dangers associated with illegal mining. We must work together to ensure such incidents do not recur,” Sarma stated.
The Dima Hasao coal mine collapse has reignited the debate on illegal mining in northeastern India, particularly the dangerous practice of rat-hole mining. This method, which involves digging narrow tunnels into the ground, is largely unregulated and often conducted without safety measures. It is prevalent in states like Meghalaya, Assam, and Nagaland, where coal reserves attract impoverished workers seeking livelihoods despite the risks.
Environmental activists and human rights organizations have called for stricter enforcement of mining regulations and better protection for workers. They argue that the lure of quick profits often leads to negligence, putting miners’ lives in peril. “Illegal mining thrives because of corruption and a lack of stringent oversight. The government must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards such activities,” said environmentalist Rohit Dutta.
The families of the deceased have demanded justice and adequate compensation. “Our loved ones went into the mine to earn a living, but they never returned. We want those responsible to be held accountable,” said a grieving relative.
In response, the Assam government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to each victim’s family and promised to investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster. Legal action is also being pursued against the mine operators and individuals involved in the illegal excavation.
As the community mourns the loss of nine lives, the tragedy has left an indelible mark on Dima Hasao and beyond. It has underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the mining sector, highlighting the importance of worker safety and environmental conservation.
While the recovery of all the bodies brings a sense of closure to the families, it also serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of illegal mining. The memory of the nine miners will resonate as a call for change—a call that authorities can no longer afford to ignore.
