• Source:JND

Odisha Stone Mining Collapse: At least two people were killed after a massive rock collapse in a reportedly illegal stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal on Saturday evening, officials informed on Sunday.

The deadly accident occurred when labourers were busy digging and conducting stone extraction work in a stone quarry near Gopalpur village under Motanga police station limits. According to the news agency PTI, a large section of rock suddenly collapsed, killing at least two.

"As per available information, only two persons were there, and two bodies were recovered. One person belonged to Balasore district, while another deceased was from either Keonjhar or Mayurbhanj district. Their identities have not yet been established," Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil told reporters.

Teams from the local fire service, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), a dog squad and heavy machinery were deployed at the site to carry out a rescue operation, which is underway.

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Quoting official sources in the Dhenkanal District mining office, The WEEK reported that the mining quarry was illegal, and a closure notice for the mining site was issued previously due to a lack of permission for blasting.

Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar have reached the spot to oversee the rescue efforts.

Leader Of Opposition Naveen Patnaik Expresses Condolence

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident in a post on X, saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn that workers lost their lives due to a rockfall following an explosion in a stone quarry in Dhenkanal. At this sorrowful time, I convey my deepest condolences to the family members, along with prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls.”

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He further added, “Let appropriate investigations be conducted into the circumstances under which this incident occurred and the state of the workers' safety measures, and let the government direct its attention toward immediately expediting rescue operations.”


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