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Shillong: A tragic explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district has resulted in the deaths of at least 16 workers, with many others potentially trapped, according to I Nongrang, the Director General of Police.

Rescue operations are currently underway, as the incident took place in the Thangsku area early Thursday morning.

"We have confirmed the recovery of 16 bodies so far. However, the total number of workers inside the mine during the explosion remains unknown, and more individuals are feared to be trapped," she stated.

One injured individual was initially treated at Sutnga Primary Health Centre before being transferred to a hospital in Shillong for further care, as reported by Vikash Kumar, the Superintendent of Police for East Jaintia Hills.

The explosion is believed to have occurred amid coal mining activities at the site, which is suspected to be operating illegally.

When questioned about the legality of the mine, Kumar affirmed, "Yes, it appears to be illegal."

The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, and an inquiry will be initiated.

In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned rat-hole coal mining and other unsafe mining practices in Meghalaya due to environmental concerns and safety hazards, while also prohibiting the illegal transport of coal extracted through these methods.

Rat-hole mining involves creating narrow tunnels, typically 3-4 feet high, for workers to enter and extract coal, with these horizontal tunnels often referred to as "rat-holes" because they can barely accommodate one person.

The Supreme Court later upheld this ban, permitting mining only under scientifically regulated procedures that include environmental protections.