Khotang, Feb 6: Two brothers from the same family in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality of Khotang were killed on the spot in an explosion at a coal mine in Meghalaya, India.
The blast occurred on Thursday at a coal mine operating in Umsaanghat, Meghalaya. Those killed have been identified as 27-year-old Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar and 24-year-old Surendra Khapangi Magar of Salghari Bhanjyang, Barahapokhari Rural Municipality 1.
Local Shiv Kumar Shrestha said the deceased are sons of Khadga Bahadur Khapangi Magar and Tank Kumari Khapangi Magar of Salghari Bhanjyang. Purna Bahadur was the elder brother, while Surendra was the younger.
Three youths from Khotang dead, one missing in coal mine blast...
Four others were injured in the same incident. They are Bomb Bahadur Khapangi Magar, Karna Bahadur Khapangi Magar, Nara Bahadur Khapangi Magar of Bhanjyang in Barahapokhari, and Lalit Bahadur Magar of Saune in Udayapur.
Out of a seven-member group that had gone to Meghalaya for work at the coal mine, only Tarabal Magar of Walampa, Barahapokhari, is reported to be safe. It was Tarabal who informed others about the incident over the phone after the explosion.
Tarabal said the condition of the four injured is serious. He said he is waiting with the bodies of Purna Bahadur and Surendra, adding that he faces difficulties as there are no acquaintances there. He also said the injured have been rescued and taken to hospital, but their condition remains worrying, and called for attention from the concerned authorities.
According to locals, both the deceased and the injured had left home for Meghalaya for employment on Dec 18. Among the two brothers who died, Purna Bahadur was married, while Surendra was unmarried.
Family members are in distress after their relatives died in an accident less than one-and-a-half months after leaving home for work. Youths from different parts of Khotang often travel to Meghalaya in search of work.
Indian media have reported that the death toll from the explosion has reached 18. Detailed information about the incident at the Umsanghat coal mine has yet to be released.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed sorrow over the incident and announced compensation of Rs 200,000 each to the families of those who lost their lives. He has also announced Rs 50,000 each to cover the injured's treatment costs.
