Tue Jan 14 06:50:56 UTC 2025: ## Hope Fades for Trapped Coal Miners in Assam as Navy Divers Withdraw

**GUWAHATI, ASSAM –** Rescue efforts at an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Assam’s Dima Hasao district are continuing, but hopes are dwindling for the five miners still trapped nine days after a sudden flood. Navy divers, deployed since January 7th, have been withdrawn as the likelihood of survival diminishes.

Four bodies have already been recovered from the 340-foot-deep quarry, which was flooded on January 6th when a rush of water trapped nine workers. Dewatering efforts, utilizing specialized equipment from ONGC and Coal India, are in their ninth day, with water levels gradually receding. While the water level has dropped by 3 meters since Monday, officials remain unsure when the water will be completely cleared and rescue operations can resume inside the quarry.

The ongoing rescue operation involves a joint effort by the army, Assam Rifles, NDRF, SDRF, and the district administration. An underwater remote-operating vehicle is being used to periodically capture images inside the flooded mine. Nine pumps are currently in use for dewatering, with six more on standby.

Assam’s Chief Minister has stated that the mine was abandoned 12 years ago and was under the Assam Mineral Development Corporation until three years ago. The leader of the trapped workers has been arrested, and investigations into the illegal mining operation are underway. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi has called for a SIT probe into the tragedy, alleging unchecked illegal mining due to weak law enforcement and local complicity.

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