Khotang. KHOTANG: Two brothers of the same family were killed in an explosion at a coal mine in Khotang district on Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 27, and Surendra Khapangi Magar, 24, of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality-1 in Meghalaya district.

The deceased has been identified as Purna Bahadur, son of Khadga Bahadur Khapangi Magar and Tanka Kumari Khapangi Magar of Salghari Bhanjyang, said a local Shiva Kumar Shrestha. Bam Bahadur Khapangi Magar, Karna Bahadur Khapangi Magar, Nar Bahadur Khapangi Magar and Lalit Bahadur Magar of Udayapur Saune were injured in the incident.

Only Tarabal Magar of Balampa in Barahapokhari, out of the seven-member team that reached Meghalaya and worked in the coal mine, is safe. After the explosion, Tarabal informed about the incident over the phone.

Four of the injured are in critical condition, said Tarabal. “I am waiting for the bodies of Purna Bahadur and Surendra after their deaths. There are no acquaintances here. I am in trouble as there are no acquaintances,” he said. Their condition is also worrisome. The concerned authorities should pay attention to this. ”

According to his neighbour, the deceased and injured had left their homes for work in Meghalaya on December 17. According to the locals, Purna Bahadur is married and Surendra is unmarried.

The death of a relative who had gone to Meghalaya in course of work in course of work less than one and a half months ago has left the family members worried. Local youths from different parts of Khotang district go to Meghalaya in search of work during the daytime.

According to media reports, the death toll in the blast has risen to 18. Details of the incident are yet to be ascertained.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Prime Minister also announced that the injured would be given Rs 50,000 each.