On Monday a diver of the navy finally reached the bottom of the 370-feet rat hole mine in Meghalaya where 15 men have been trapped for the last 19 days. But none of the trapped men were to be seen.
SK Singh, Assistant Commandant, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said, "Water is chilling which makes it difficult for divers to carry out the operation. We are trying our best. On Tuesday the Navy Team will go inside with sophisticated equipment that they have. We are hoping for a better output this time."
Earlier in the day, Navy divers went inside the inundated coal mines to rescue 15 miners who are trapped inside since December 13. A 15-member diving team of the Navy from Vishakhapatnam arrived at Meghalaya on Saturday.
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The diving team of the Navy which arrived on Saturday is equipped with specialised equipment, including high-pressure pumps and a re-compression chamber and remotely operated vehicles capable of searching underwater.
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. Union Defence Ministry has promised all help to the state government.
The 15 miners have been trapped in a 370-feet deep illegal mine in Lumthari village here since December 13, when the water from the nearby river Lytein flooded the mine.
PTI
