India: Dozens Dead in Illegal ‘Rat-Hole’ Coal Mine Explosion

India is in mourning after a deadly explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya state, northeastern India. The blast occurred around 10 a.m. local time in a so-called ‘rat-hole’ mine—named for its narrow, tunnel-like shafts barely wide enough for workers to pass through. Such mines were banned in 2014 due to frequent accidents and environmental damage, yet they persist illegally. At least 16 people were killed and eight injured; rescue efforts were suspended due to lack of proper equipment and the mine’s remote location. Authorities launched a full investigation, with Meghalaya’s Chief Minister Conrad Sangma vowing accountability. Since 2012, 63 deaths have been recorded in similar illegal mines across Assam and Meghalaya, according to federal government estimates.