The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi on Friday advised its citizens to exercise caution before accepting overseas employment, days after nine Nepali nationals were killed in a coal mine explosion in Meghalaya. A total of 31 people lost their lives in the February 5 blast at an allegedly illegal rat-hole coal mine in the Thangskai area of East Jaintia Hills district. Several of the victims were migrant workers, including nine from Nepal, while seven other Nepali nationals were injured and are currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Expressing its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the embassy said it prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery. It added that the mission is in constant coordination with India’s Ministry of External Affairs, local administration and police regarding treatment of the injured, necessary assistance and compensation for the affected families.
The embassy has asked families seeking information or support to contact its dedicated helpline. Highlighting concerns over the alleged illegal status of the mine, it noted that accidents at unauthorised workplaces often make it difficult to secure rescue services, compensation and other benefits. The advisory urged Nepali citizens to verify details about employers, salary, facilities and legal procedures before accepting any job, and cautioned them against falling prey to agents or intermediaries offering work without proper documentation. The incident has once again raised concerns over safety standards and regulatory oversight in Meghalaya’s coal mining sector, particularly the continued presence of banned rat-hole mining in remote areas.