The rat-hole coal mine accident in Ruchan village under Bhandari sub-division in Wokha district, which killed 6 miners and injured 4 others on 25 January was caused by “fire and explosion of methane gas,” the Geology and Mining department, Government of Nagaland stated in a report released today.
As per the report, the fire and explosion in the rat-hole was believed to have been caused by frictional sparks from the portable handheld rock drilling machine which came into contact with underground reserves of methane gas.
The report also stated that the said mine was an illegal one and added that, in order to mitigate illegal coal mining in the state, the department is “always ready to assist and support coal miners.” It also urged miners to cooperate with the department and adhere to the guidelines.