Shillong, Feb 10: The death toll from the coal mine blast in Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills district has risen to 30, after two more victims from Assam succumbed to their injuries at Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) on Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Ramchandra Baishnab and Nimaruddin, both residents of Katigorah in Assam’s Cachar district. Nine injured miners from the February 5 blast at an illegal coal mine in the remote Thangsku area of Mynsngat village had been admitted to SMCH. So far, at least eight labourers from Assam’s Cachar district have died in the incident.

The Meghalaya government has ordered a judicial inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the blast and assign responsibility. The Assam government announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased from the state.