The blast occurred in the remote Thangsku area in East Jaintia Hills, where narrow “rat-hole” mining tunnels make rescue operations challenging and dangerous

Seven of the eight injured miners, including workers from Nepal, Assam, and local areas, are receiving treatment at hospitals in Shillong

Family members and locals gathered at the site, mourning the deceased and watching ongoing search and rescue efforts

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of three victims from Assam and instructed officials to visit bereaved families

PM Narendra Modi expressed grief, announcing Rs 2 lakh compensation for each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured while Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Sangma and assured central support for ongoing rescue and relief operations in the district

Meghalaya Police arrested two individuals and identified a third in connection with the illegal mining operation, as investigations continue

The search operation continues under challenging conditions, highlighting the dangers of illegal and unregulated mining.