Shillong, December 31: Efforts to look for 15 miners trapped in a rat-hole mine in Meghalaya East Jaintia Hills continued for the 18th day on Monday. On Sunday, Navy divers went inside the inundated mine in search for the miners but returned disappointed after diving up to 70 feet deep but couldn't go ahead due to chilling water inside the mine. However, the operation carried by multiple agencies did not yield much results. Despite the deep dive, the team was not able to reach the ground level. After days of wait for types of equipment, an 18-member team of the Indian Navy finally began its rescue operation at 1 pm on Sunday. Meghalaya Mining Mishap: IAF, NDRF Personnel to Help in Rescue Operation for Trapped Miners. 

According to details by SK Singh, Assistant Commandant, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the divers came out as the depth of water is too much. He informed that they dived till 70 feet down but were unable to reach the ground level. Singh added saying that water is chilling in there which makes it difficult for divers to carry out the operation. "We're trying our best. Tomorrow Navy Team will go inside with sophisticated equipment that they've. We're hoping for a better output tomorrow", he had said. What Is Rat-Hole Mining? 15 Meghalaya Miners Trapped in Illegal Mine Waits for Help From Government. 

On Saturday, a 15-member diving team of the Navy from Vishakhapatnam arrived at Meghalaya to help the rescue work. The team is equipped with specialised equipment, including high-pressure pumps and a re-compression chamber and remotely operated vehicles capable of searching underwater.

On December 13, 20 miners went inside a 370-feet deep illegal mine in Lumthari village. While 5 managed to escape, 15 miners have been trapped since then after the water from the nearby river Lytein flooded the mine.

According to a report by PTI, at least 10 high-powered pumps from the Odisha Fire service with 21 personnel, had reached the site. Meanwhile, a submersible pump from the Coal India Limited (CIL) was expected to arrive on Sunday.  The Indian Air Force had also provided two aircraft to Meghalaya government for airlifting specialist personnel of the NDRF from Odisha for helping in the rescue operations. Meanwhile, the CIL had promised to send at least six pumps from their various bases across the country.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2018 12:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).