By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, June 2: The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has recovered the body of a 41-year-old man who fell into an abandoned coal mine near the DC Office area in Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills, following a six-day search and recovery operation.
According to officials, the man accidentally fell into the mine on May 26 while attempting to fetch drinking water. The abandoned mine was estimated to be around 120 feet deep. Following reports of the incident, personnel from the 1st Battalion SDRF, based in Shillong, were deployed on May 27 by the district administration to undertake rescue efforts.
The recovery mission was complicated by the presence of nearly 40 feet of water inside the mine, making access extremely difficult. Family members of the victim and local residents assisted the operation by helping install and operate pumping equipment to lower the water level and facilitate the search.
After six days of continuous efforts involving SDRF personnel, local authorities and community members, the operation reached a breakthrough on June 1.
At around 6.30 pm, four SDRF personnel, accompanied by two local volunteers, descended into the mine and conducted an extensive search. The body was eventually located and retrieved at about 9 pm before being handed over to the police for necessary procedures.
