Massive Explosion at Stone Quarry in Odisha's Dhenkanal, Several Labourers Feared Trapped

Dhenkanal: Several people are feared to be trapped after a large portion of rocks collapsed at a stone quarry in Odisha's Dhenkanal district. The incident took place on Saturday evening when some workers

were engaged in drilling and exploration of stone from the quarry located near Gopalpur village under Motanga police station limits in the district, according to officials. How many workers are trapped under the rocks, and the exact cause behind the incident has not yet been cleared. However, local fire service teams, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, along with dog squad and machines engaged in rescue operations, have been rushed to the area, a fire service officer said."The rescue operation is in progress," the officer said.Fire officer, Nabaghana Mallik said, "... Two to four people have been trapped beneath large stones. Machinery is being used to cut through these stones and evacuate those trapped inside. Two teams from the fire department have been deployed, and a dog squad is also assisting at the site. The incident occurred last night during blasting operations..."

Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and SP Abhinav Sonkar have reached the spot to supervise the rescue operation.Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, in a post on X said, "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."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."