Just hours after the PM Modi led Centre and Odisha government rushed teams to help the 15 trapped miners stuck in a coal mine in Meghalaya's Jaintia Hills district, a Congress MP  claimed that there is a strong chance that the miners might not be breathing.

Talking to news agency ANI, Congress Shillong MP Vincent H Pala stated that he came to know from the locals that there is no chance of continued existence inside the mines. He also said he is very sure that most of the people have died.

Cornering the Centre he accused if not taking the issue seriously in sending the pumps. He also hoped that with the new pumps, that are likely to arrive at the accident site, the rescue teams will be only able to pump the water out. The Congress MP also added that it will take at least 2-3 days to recover the bodies.

“I’m very sure most people have died. I came to know from local people that there is no chance of people there, those who survive, they run away since the mining was illegal. Earlier the Central government did not take seriously in sending the pumps. I hope with the new pumps coming they will be able to pump water. It will take minimum 2-3 days then we will be able to retrieve the bodies," stated Pala.