Portion of Stone Quarry Caves in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra: Several Workers Trapped, Rescue Ops Underway

Sonbhadra: A portion of a stone quarry collapsed in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra, trapping several labourers under the rubble. Operations are underway to rescue the trapped workers. A wall inside Krishna

Mines Quarry suddenly caved in on Sunday, trapping several workers. The exact number of people trapped is still unknown, but Uttar Pradesh minister Sanjeev Kumar Gond, who visited the site in Billi Markundi village in Sonbhadra district, said "around a dozen labourers" may be under the debris. Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Social Welfare Gond, who is also the local MLA, visited the spot with district officials.District Magistrate B N Singh said, "Some labourers are buried after a wall collapsed inside the quarry." Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are carrying out rescue operations at the site. Heavy machinery, along with specialised personnel, is being used to remove the debris and widen access to the collapsed area as quickly as possible.

"The district magistrate, superintendent of police and other officials are at the spot, and relief operations are underway. I am also present here and every possible effort is being made," the minister said. "The circumstances under which the mine was operating will be investigated. Strict action will be taken against those found guilty," the minister said. "We stand with the families of the victims." Gond said that ex-gratia compensation would be provided to people affected in the incident. "This is a very sad incident," he added.Rescue operations are underway to rescue the trapped workers. ADG Zone Varanasi Piyush Mordia said, "On 15th November, in Sonbhadra district, a stone mine collapse incident was reported. Workers are feared trapped here. NDRF, SDRF, CISF, Sonbhadra Police and Fire Department teams are here to rescue the people. Operation is underway..."More details are awaited.