January 11, 2025: Rescue teams recovered a second body on Saturday morning from the flooded coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district, where at least nine workers are feared trapped. The mine, located in the Umrangso area, has been the site of a relentless rescue operation since the flooding occurred earlier this week. The recovery of the second body follows the discovery of the first on Wednesday, heightening concerns for the remaining miners still unaccounted for.

Indian Army personnel involved in the operation retrieved the body, which was later identified as that of Lijan Magar, a 27-year-old resident of Umrangso. Earlier in the week, divers from the Army’s 21 Paras recovered the body of Ganga Bahadur Srestho, a Nepali national, who had been trapped beneath a submerged trolley at the bottom of the nearly 300-foot-deep mine. The mine remains heavily flooded, with water levels hampering efforts to reach the remaining trapped workers.

Expressing grief over the situation, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to share his thoughts, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Rescue efforts continue in Umrangso with unwavering resolve. Tragically, another body was recovered this morning, with the identity yet to be confirmed. Our hearts go out to the grieving as we hold onto hope and strength during this difficult time.”

Efforts to dewater the mine have been underway since the flooding began. Rescue teams have been using five traditional pumps, successfully lowering the water level by nearly seven meters as of Friday night. Additionally, a heavy-duty pump provided by Coal India Limited, capable of extracting 2,250 liters of water per minute, is being installed and is expected to expedite the process.

Uncertainty persists over the exact number of workers trapped inside the mine. While nine individuals have been officially reported missing by their families or acquaintances, officials caution that the number could be higher. Speaking to reporters in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma noted that some miners may have entered the site without informing anyone or without familial connections to report their absence.

Rescue operations continue amidst these challenges, with authorities working tirelessly to reach the remaining trapped miners. The incident has left the community in Umrangso and beyond grappling with shock and grief as they await further updates.