Bodies of 9 Miners Recovered After 44-Day Assam Coal Mine Rescue

The operation concluded after extensive dewatering efforts in the illegal rat-hole mine, with investigations and crackdowns on such mining underway.

Nine miners were trapped on January 6 when an illegal rat-hole coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district flooded from an underground aquifer.
Rescue teams recovered the first four bodies within the first week; the remaining five were retrieved after 44 days of dewatering efforts.
The operation involved multiple agencies, including the NDRF, Indian Army, Indian Navy, and state police, using high-capacity pumps to lower water levels.
The Assam government announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each victim's family and launched a judicial inquiry and Special Investigation Team probe into the incident.
The tragedy has reignited concerns over the persistence of illegal rat-hole mining in the region, prompting a crackdown on such operations and the arrest of 11 individuals.