7 dead as boulder falls on quarry workers in Bengaluru, death toll likely to rise

At least seven workers were killed and five others injured after a massive boulder fell on a tractor that was loading crushed stones at a quarry in Madapattana village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on July 2 morning. Many more workers are feared trapped under the debris and the death toll could rise, police said.

The incident took place at a stone crusher unit located in Bengaluru South Taluk around 7.30 am when the workers were engaged in normal mining operations.

According to the police, nearly 20 labourers, mostly migrant laborers from Karnataka’s Bihar and Yadgir districts, were working at the site when the huge rock suddenly gave way and fell on them from a height of over 40 feet.

Two JCBS at a quarry where at least seven workers were killed and five others injured after a massive boulder fell on a tractor that was loading crushed stone in Madapattana village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on July 2, 2026. Many more workers are feared trapped under the debris and the death toll may rise, police said. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Gopi, a quarry worker from Tamil Nadu who escaped in the nick of time, said few people were working on top of the boulder. They struggled to dislodge the boulder, which came loose and rolled down. “If they had informed us in advance, many victims could have been saved,” he told the media.

Seven workers died on the spot. Five others who sustained injuries were taken to Rajarajeshwari Hospital for treatment.

Rescue teams have launched an operation to recover the bodies and search for workers trapped under the debris.

Officials from the Tavarekere Police Station rushed to the spot soon after the incident and started investigations. Police said several workers were still reported missing, raising fears that the death toll could rise.

The quarry is said to belong to a man identified as Anandaswamy. The deceased were daily wage laborers working at the site for more than one year. They were reportedly housed in makeshift quarters near the crusher unit.

Police have taken the quarry owner into custody for questioning as part of an investigation into the exact cause of the collapse.

Risk at quarry sites

Earlier in June, Avalahalli police registered a case against five persons for allegedly storing and using explosive materials without valid permission at a granite quarry in Yerapanahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

According to a complaint filed by Senior Constable Shiva M., who was on special night patrol duty along with other personnel, on June 4, the police received credible information from local residents that explosives were being illegally stored and used for blasting in a granite quarry owned by Venkateshwara Granite Crusher.

Granite crusher owner Venkateshwara was among those booked by the police under Section 9B(1)(a). b) of the Explosives Act, Section 5 of the Explosives Act and Rule 7 of the Explosives Rules.

Published – 02 July 2026 11:15 AM IST