Navy divers find skeletons in ‘rat hole’ mine

India, (Hindustan Times), 17 Jan 2019 -  Navy divers and underwater remotely operated vehicles have spotted a few skeletons during the search for 15 trapped men in a rat hole mine at Khloo Ryngksan in Meghalaya, navy sources said.  

Senior government officials, who did not want to be identified, said that high Sulphur content in the mines may have led to the decomposition of bodies.   Earlier in the morning, the remotely operated vehicles (ROV) spotted a body, which is yet to be taken out, said SS Syiemlieh, Additional Deputy Commissioner.  

Confirming the detection of a body, the Indian Navy tweeted, “The depth is 160 feet (and not 60 feet) and the body has been pulled up to the mouth of rat-hole mine...”  

At least 200 rescuers are involved in a multi-agency rescue operation.