At least two workers were killed and several others remain trapped after a massive rock collapse at a stone quarry near Gopalpur village in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district on Saturday evening. The accident occurred while workers were drilling and extracting stones, when a large section of rock suddenly gave way, burying labourers under debris.
Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil confirmed that two bodies have been recovered so far, while rescue operations are still underway to locate others. The deceased are believed to be from Balasore, Mayurbhanj or Keonjhar districts, though their identities are yet to be officially confirmed.
A large-scale rescue operation is in progress involving fire service personnel, ODRAF teams, dog squads, and heavy machinery. Officials said debris removal is being done carefully due to the risk of further collapse.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the quarry was operating illegally. The mining lease had expired, and the district mining office had issued a closure notice in September 2025, but operations reportedly continued. Authorities also said no permission was granted for drilling or blasting at the site.
The district administration has ordered a detailed inquiry, and officials said strict action will be taken against those responsible. The incident has once again raised serious concerns over illegal mining and poor safety enforcement in Odisha, as rescue efforts continue to account for all workers.
