Video: Navy divers detect body of Meghalaya miner as search operations continue

A month after 15 miners in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills got trapped in a rat-hole mine, one body was detected by Indian Navy Divers on Thursday morning. 

The body was detected using Underwater ROV at a depth of over 160 feet and 210 feet inside the mine. 

"Yes, the ROV operated by the Indian Navy divers have found a dead body. They will operate it again today to recover the body,” said additional deputy commissioner, East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, SS Syiemlieh. 

An Indian Navy official told WION, "The body has been pulled up to the mouth of Rat-hole mine and shall be extracted out of the mine under the supervision of Doctor."

Operations to recover the detected body will continue through the day. 

A month ago, 15 miners got trapped in the rat-hole mine after it was suddenly flooded with water. 

Meanwhile, rescue operations by Indian Navy, NDRF alongside Odisha Fire Services officials continue to recover other miners who are trapped since December 13. 

Service personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force began operations shortly after the miners were trapped. After a request for assistance from the district administration, teams from Coal India, Kirloskar Brothers, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy joined the operation to rescue the miners.

Experts have been visiting the spot since December 20 as efforts intensified to rescue the trapped miners, but the huge water level inside foiled all their efforts.