SHILLONG, FEB 5: Two mine owners have been arrested in connection with the explosion at an illegal coal mine in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district, which has claimed 18 lives.

“We have arrested two persons in connection with the case,” Superintendent of Police Vikash Kumar said on Friday.

He assured that police are going all out to arrest all those involved in the incident.

The incident occurred at Mynsyngat, Thangsko area, under Umpleng Police Outpost, on Thursday (February 5).

A total of 18 dead bodies have been recovered from the site of the explosion.

One injured person was rescued and taken to a hospital in Shillong for treatment.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Special Rescue Team(SRT) are actively engaged at the site, and rescue and recovery efforts are continuing.

A suo-motu FIR has been registered, and investigation is on.