Last Updated:February 05, 2026, 23:04 IST The explosion is suspected to have occurred during coal mining activities at the site, which is believed to be an illegal operation. Search and rescue operations underway at the coal mine where five miners were trapped after a dynamite blast flooded the pit, in East Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. (PTI) At least 18 miners were killed, and several others are feared trapped after an explosion at an “illegal” coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district on Thursday, Director General of Police I Nongrang said. She said rescue teams are conducting search operations and added that the incident took place in the Thangsku area in the morning. “We have recovered 16 bodies so far. The exact number of labourers present inside the mine at the time of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. More people are feared trapped,” she said. East Jaintia Hills Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said that one person injured in the blast was first taken to Sutnga Primary Health Centre and later referred to …