Three workers have been confirmed dead in the Assam coal mine disaster, while rescue operations continue to free the others trapped, with teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, and Navy divers actively involved.

‘Rat-hole’ mining It is a method of extracting coal from horizontal seams in Meghalaya and other northeastern States. Narrow pits are dug into the ground, large enough for one person to fit in and extract the coal, just like rats dig a hole.

Nine men are reported to be trapped in the mine, with a rescue report saying three bodies had been spotted. Locals said at least 27 workers had entered the mine on Monday morning in the Dima Hasao region of India's northeastern state of Assam, with many managing to escape as gushing waters swamped the pit workings.

Nine laborers are trapped in a coal mine in Assam's Dima Hasao district. Army personnel, NDRF, and SDRF are coordinating rescue efforts. Water pumps are being used to clear flooding. The exact number of trapped miners remains unconfirmed.

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The workers went down the mine at around 9am on Monday; and officials are yet to ascertain the cause of the flooding despite the absence of any rain in the region.

In response to an urgent call for assistance by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Indian Army on January 6, mobilized a specialized Relief Task Force to rescue miners trapped in Umrangso,