Two brothers from the same family in Barahapokhari Rural Municipality of Khotang district were killed in a coal mine explosion in India’s Meghalaya.

The blast occurred on Thursday at a coal mine operating in Umsang Ghat, Meghalaya. The deceased have been identified as 27-year-old Purna Bahadur Khapangi Magar and his younger brother, 24-year-old Surendra Khapangi Magar, residents of Salghari Bhanjyang in ward 1 of Barahapokhari Rural Municipality. They died on the spot.

At least 18 people were killed in an explosion at the illegal coal mine, local authorities said.

Ward chairperson Dhak Bahadur Karki said three others from Bhanjyang in Barahapokhari were injured in the incident. The injured are 35-year-old Nar Bahadur Khapangi Magar, 45-year-old Bam Bahadur Khapangi Magar and 40-year-old Karna Bahadur Khapangi Magar. Among them, Nar Bahadur and Bam Bahadur are in critical condition, he said.

Another worker, Lalit Bahadur Magar of Udayapur, was also injured in the explosion.

Of the seven-member Nepali group working at the mine, only Tarabal Magar of  Barahapokhari escaped unhurt. He informed the victims’ families about the incident by phone after the explosion.

Relatives said the deceased and the injured had left home for employment in Meghalaya on December 18.