Tragic Rockfall Incident Claims Lives in Odisha Quarry

Fatal Rockfall at Unauthorized Quarry in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: A tragic incident occurred in Odisha's Dhenkanal district, where a rockfall at an unauthorized stone quarry resulted in the deaths of two individuals.

Local authorities, including Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar, have arrived at the scene to oversee the ongoing rescue efforts.

"Initial reports indicate that only two workers were present at the site, and their bodies have been retrieved. One victim was from Balasore district, while the other hailed from either Keonjhar or Mayurbhanj district. Their identities are still being confirmed," Patil informed reporters.

The collector noted that the quarry's blasting permit had lapsed in September, and the lease expired in December 2025.

"We will initiate legal proceedings against the leaseholder for continuing operations after the lease had expired," Patil stated.

He also mentioned that measures to combat illegal mining in the district will be intensified in the near future.

The incident transpired on Saturday evening as workers were drilling for stone at the quarry near Gopalpur village, under the jurisdiction of Motanga police station, according to officials.

The precise cause of the rockfall remains unclear as of the latest updates. Rescue operations are being conducted by local fire services and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), along with a dog squad.

Following the incident, the quarry has been sealed. Local Tahsildar Manoj Majhi confirmed that police will be stationed at the site to prevent unauthorized access.

In response to the tragedy, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed his sorrow on a microblogging platform, stating, "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."

He further called for a thorough investigation into the incident and the safety measures in place for workers, urging the government to prioritize the swift continuation of rescue operations.