Two brothers from the same family in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality of Khotang district have died on the spot after a blast at a coal mine in Meghalaya, India. The incident occurred on Thursday at a coal mine operating in Umsangghat, Meghalaya.
Those killed have been identified as 27-year-old Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar and his younger brother, 24-year-old Surendra Khapangi Magar, residents of Salghari Bhanjyang, Barahapokhari–1. They are the sons of Khadga Bahadur Khapangi Magar and Tankakumari Khapangi Magar, according to local resident Shivkumar Shrestha.
Four others were seriously injured in the same explosion. The injured include Bombahadur Khapangi Magar, Karnabahadur Khapangi Magar, Narbahadur Khapangi Magar of Bhanjyang, Barahapokhari, and Lalitbahadur Magar from Saune, Udayapur. Among the seven-member group working at the mine, only Tarabal Magar of Walampa, Barahapokhari, was reported to be safe.
Tarabal informed about the incident by phone after the explosion and said the condition of the injured is critical. He stated that he is staying there awaiting the bodies of the deceased brothers, adding that the lack of acquaintances in the area has made the situation difficult. The injured have been rescued and taken to hospital, though their condition remains serious.
Local sources said the deceased and injured had gone to Meghalaya for employment on Poush 3. Among the two brothers, Purna Bahadur was married while Surendra was unmarried. The tragic incident, occurring less than one and a half months after they left home for work, has left their families in deep distress. Many youths from different parts of Khotang travel to Meghalaya during winter in search of employment.
According to Indian media reports, the death toll from the explosion has reached 18. Detailed information about the incident is yet to be made public. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences over the tragedy and announced compensation of INR 200,000 to the families of those who lost their lives and INR 50,000 for the treatment of the injured.
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