Shillong, December 29: Operations to rescue 15 trapped miners continued in Meghalaya for the 18th day on Saturday. While the Indian Navy is also set to join the rescue operations today, SK Singh, Asst Commandant, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), said that three helmets have been recovered from the site and operations were underway to reach the miners. Meghalaya Mining Mishap: IAF, NDRF Personnel to Help in Rescue Operation for Trapped Miners.

On Friday, Indian Airforce aircraft C-130J, carrying NDRF personnel and equipment, had reached the site in Khelerihaat in East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. The Kirloskar Brothers, a major pump manufacturing company, had also offered high power pumps to drain out water from the mine in Meghalaya on Thursday. The Indian Navy is even deploying a 15-member diving team from Visakhapatnam to assist in the rescue operations. Meghalaya Mining Mishap: Operations to Rescue 15 Trapped Miners Continue in East Jaintia Hills District.

The miners have been trapped in a 370-foot-deep illegal coal mine in Ksan area of Lumthari village since December 13. These miners got trapped in the illegal pit after water from nearby Lytein River gushed into the mine.

According to reports, a man was earlier arrested in connection with the mine mishap. The man had reportedly admitted that he was the owner of the 370-foot-deep illegal quarry. Reports informed that two mine managers, Mohesh and James Sukhlain, are still on the run.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2018 10:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).