Race Against Time in Assam to Rescue Miners, Ops Intensified

A 35-member NDRF team, led by Commandant HPS Kandari, is conducting rescue operations.

- Utpal Parashar

GUWAHATI: Anxiety mounted in a remote corner of Assam on Tuesday as army and navy personnel joined operations to rescue people trapped 300 feet under the ground in a flooded coal mine in the Dima Hasao district, marking the second day of frenetic but still-unsuccessful efforts to save the workers.

Confusion prevailed throughout the day as some officials suggested that nine people were trapped in the mine and others said that the number could be as high as 15. Navy divers joined the efforts, hours after personnel from the Indian Army, National Disaster Relief Force and State Disaster Relief Force spotted some helmets and slippers floating on the water.

This gave rise to speculation that some people were dead, but officials denied an earlier report from the state information department that said three bodies were spotted on the surface of the water.