One labourer was found dead after a stone quarry collapsed in Sonbhadra, while several others are feared trapped under the debris, officials said on 16 November.
The collapse occurred in the Billi Markundi mining area on Saturday. Rescue teams worked through the night to clear the rubble and continued operations on Sunday morning. Additional Director General of Police, Varanasi Zone, Piyush Mordia said efforts to remove the debris from the hill were under way. He said, “Work to remove the debris from the hill has been going on since last night.” Officials said the exact number of trapped labourers has not yet been confirmed. Uttar Pradesh minister and local MLA Sanjeev Kumar Gond visited the spot following the incident and said that “around a dozen labourers” might still be buried beneath the collapsed section of the quarry. He met rescue personnel and district officials to review ongoing efforts.
The body recovered on Sunday morning has been sent for post mortem examination. Police and district authorities said that National Disaster Response Force teams and local rescue units are coordinating the search. Heavy machinery has been deployed to remove large boulders blocking access to the deeper sections of the collapse site. Senior officers said rescue operations are being carried out with caution to avoid further slides. Families of missing labourers have gathered near the site, and officials are attempting to verify the number of workers present when the quarry caved in.
Authorities said further updates will be issued as more information becomes available and as the debris is cleared.
