Nagaland coal mine accident: Fire and methane gas explosion might have caused the tragedy, say Official

DIMAPUR — The Directorate of Geology and Mining has updated that the recent tragic accident that killed six labourers and injured four others at a rat hole coal mining site in Ruchan village, was caused by a “fire and explosion of methane gas which might have occurred due to friction spark while using portable handheld drilling machine”.

A team of officials from the Directorate of Geology and Mining visited the accident site at Ruchan village under Bhandari sub-division in Wokha district on January 26, a day after the incident, to assess the its cause, said an update received here on Wednesday.

“On inspection and as per the record of the department, the mine was an illegal mine (rat hole mine 4ft x 4.5ft) being operated by locals in collaboration with some non-locals,” read the press release from the department.

While mentioning that the department is trying to control illegal coal mining in the state, it also said that it is “always ready to assist and support coal miners and accordingly expect the miners to cooperate with the department and follow the guidelines of mining method so as to avert mine accidents in the days to come”.

Expressing grief over the sudden loss of lives, the department conveyed condolence to the bereaved family members and wished speedy recovery to the injured.

Related story: 6 killed, 4 injured in ‘rat-hole’ mine accident in Wokha