After more than a month, 15 illegal miners trapped in a coal mine in the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya are presumed to be dead even though the Supreme Court monitoring rescue operations said that “hunt must continue as miracles do happen”. On December 13, 15 miners were trapped 370 ft below in a coal mine in the Jantia Hills in Meghalaya when the mine was flooded. Coal mining in Meghalaya, though officially banned, but commonly known as ‘rat hole’ mining stemming from holes bored along the hill face, is rampant across the state.
