16 killed in blast at illegal coal mine in Meghalaya

​PM Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in the the mishap and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. According to a PTI report, DGP I Nongrang has confirmed recovery of 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.