Meghalaya Mine Blast: Death Toll of Nepali Workers Rises to Four

 

The latest victim has been identified as 50-year-old Ratna Rai of Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-5, Khotang. Rai had been missing since the February 5 blast in the East Jaintia Hills. His body was eventually discovered in a local hospital in a severely burnt state; family members were forced to identify him based on his physical stature. According to local sources, Rai had traveled to India for work last September, leaving his citizenship documents and mobile phone in his quarters before the fatal shift.

 

The tragedy had earlier claimed the lives of three others from Barahpokhari-1, Khotang. Biological brothers Purna Bahadur Khapangi (27) and Surendra Khapangi (24) died instantly at the site, while Nar Bahadur Khapangi (35) succumbed to his injuries on February 6 during treatment. The three men were cremated in Jhalupara, Shillong, on February 9.

 

Victims' families have expressed deep anger and disappointment toward the Nepal government, alleging a total lack of diplomatic or financial assistance. Prakash Khapangi Magar, who reached the site following the explosion, stated that the families were left to manage funeral rites in a foreign country without any state support for repatriating the bodies.

 

Meanwhile, three other Nepali workers remain in critical condition. Karna Bahadur Khapangi (46), Bam Bahadur Khapangi (40), and Lalit Magar (40) are currently undergoing treatment for severe injuries. The trio had arrived in Meghalaya seeking employment only two months ago.

 

Local authorities fear the disaster's scale could grow, as dozens of other miners are still believed to be trapped within the illegal mine shafts.