Meghalaya coal mine blast: Nar Bahadur dies at NEIGRIHMS, eight burn victims still critical

The death toll from the illegal coal mine explosion in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district increased further after one of the injured workers undergoing treatment at NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, succumbed to his injuries on Friday afternoon, February 6.

NEIGRIHMS Medical Superintendent Prof (Dr) Suvamoy Chakraborty said the deceased has been identified as Nar Bahadur, who passed away at 2.55 pm despite intensive medical care. “We received nine patients yesterday, with the last patient arriving at around 12.30 am. Unfortunately, Nar Bahadur could not survive,” he said.

According to hospital authorities, eight injured workers are currently under treatment at NEIGRIHMS. Two of them, Raju Tamang and Jamil Ahmed, have suffered severe burn injuries of around 70–75 per cent and are on ventilatory support in the Critical Care Unit. Their condition remains critical.

Two other patients, Dev Malakar and Lalit Magar, are admitted to the medical ICU. They have sustained around 50 per cent burns and, while critical, are responding to treatment, the Medical Superintendent said.

The remaining four injured workers—Bam Bahadur, Dawa Sherpa, Kaurna Mangal and Shanky Shila—have been admitted to an isolated ENT ward due to the unavailability of ICU beds. Bam Bahadur has sustained around 50 per cent burns, Dawa Sherpa 60–70 per cent, Shanky Shila about 60 per cent, while Kaurna Mangal has suffered comparatively lower burn injuries of around 25–30 per cent.

Prof Chakraborty said a dedicated team of burn and plastic surgeons, along with critical care doctors, is closely monitoring all the patients. “All necessary treatment is being provided, and we are trying our level best to save all the remaining patients,” he said.

The injured were shifted to NEIGRIHMS after an explosion and subsequent fire at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, an incident that has claimed multiple lives and prompted extensive rescue, relief and investigation efforts by the state authorities.