New Delhi: The decomposed body of another miner who died inside a flooded hole mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills was found, officials said Saturday.
This is the second body of the 15 who had been trapped when the mine collapsed December 13. Incidentally mining is banned in Meghalaya, but then illegally the trade flourishes. None so far has been found alive even though 44 days have passed since the mishap.
“Indian Navy diving team finds second body 280 feet inside the rat hole mine. First body was recovered Thursday,” the Navy said on its Twitter handle.
Navy divers saw the body at 3 am with the help of an underwater remotely operated vehicle, a rescue officer told this agency. “During their search, the Navy team also found spades and a wooden cart,” said the official, who asked not to be named.
The body of miner, Amir Hussain, which was brought out Thursday, has been handed over Saturday to his family for the last rites.
The divers have seen skeletons inside the mines through their remotely operated vehicles, though it is not clear if they are of the missing miners. The water inside the mines has high sulphur content that can decompose bodies very fast, according to officials.
IANS