Several people are feared dead in Odisha after a large chunk of rock collapsed at a stone quarry in Dhenekanal district.
According to a report by news agency PTI, the incident took place on Saturday evening when some workers were engaged in drilling and surveying stone from the quarry.
It is currently unclear how many workers are trapped under the rocks, nor is it clear how the incident occurred.
However, news agency ANI reported that a massive explosion was heard in the quarry before the collapse.
“The incident took place last night during blasting operations,” Nabaghan Mallika, the fire department representative, was quoted as saying by the news agency.
Rescue operations have been launched with teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) deployed.
A dog squad was also deployed to help search for survivors, while several machines were deployed to assist in rescue operations.
“Machines are used to cut through these stones and evacuate those trapped inside. Two teams of firefighters have been deployed and a dog squad is assisting on the spot,” Malík added.
Dhenkanal District Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhinav Sonkar also reached the spot to supervise the rescue operation, PTI reported.
Commenting on the incident, Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences and called for an inquiry into the collapse.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that laborers lost their lives due to rockfall following an explosion at a stone quarry in Dhenkanal. At this sad time, I offer my deepest condolences to the family members along with prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls,” Patnaik said in a post on X.
“Let appropriate investigations be carried out into the circumstances under which this incident took place and the state of security arrangements for the workers and let the government direct its attention to speeding up the rescue operations immediately,” he added.
