Explosion at illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills kills miners
An explosion at an illegally operated coal mine in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, on 5 February 2026 killed 18 miners on the first day, as reported by The Hindu and The Times of India.
Summary
An explosion at an illegally operated coal mine in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, on 5 February 2026 killed 18 miners on the first day, The Hindu reported, citing the district police. The Times of India reported that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma told the Assembly on 16 February that the toll had risen to 33 and that the blast was likely caused by explosives used in illegal mining. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The National Green Tribunal had banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya by an order of 17 April 2014, as recorded in a 2019 Supreme Court judgment.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 5 February 2026, Mynsngat–Thangsko, East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
- Toll
- 18 on day one; 33 by 16 February (CM in Assembly)
- Likely cause
- Explosives used in illegal mining
- PMNRF ex-gratia
- ₹2 lakh per deceased; ₹50,000 per injured
- Background
- NGT banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya on 17 April 2014
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The illegal coal mine explosion of 5 February 2026 took place in which district of Meghalaya?
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Correct answer: B — East Jaintia Hills
The blast occurred in the Mynsngat–Thangsko area of East Jaintia Hills district.
Consider the following: 1. The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya by an order dated 17 April 2014. 2. The ex-gratia announced by the Prime Minister for victims of the East Jaintia Hills blast was paid from the National Disaster Response Fund. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The ex-gratia (₹2 lakh per deceased, ₹50,000 per injured) was announced from the PM's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), not the NDRF.