SHILLONG, India — The death toll from a coal mine explosion in India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya has risen to 27, with search and rescue operations continuing, authorities said.Public broadcaster All India Radio reported that recovery efforts were still underway at the blast site in the East Jaintia Hills district, where additional bodies were found following the explosion.Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma earlier said the blast occurred at an illegal coal mine and announced that the state government had ordered a “comprehensive inquiry” into the incident.Police have registered a case in connection with the explosion and arrested two people as investigations continue.Illegal coal mining remains a persistent problem in parts of Meghalaya, despite a ban imposed by India’s Supreme Court, with safety violations frequently cited as a major risk to workers.
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