In a tragic incident, five workers lost their lives following a rock collapse at the Mega Metal Quarry in Mallankottai village near Singampunari, Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu.
The quarry, operational for over a decade, is approximately 450 feet deep and employs more than 50 daily wage laborers from nearby areas.
On the morning of the incident, over ten workers were engaged in breaking rocks when a controlled explosion, intended to fracture large boulders, unexpectedly triggered a massive landslide. The sudden collapse buried several workers under debris. Fellow laborers immediately initiated rescue efforts, recovering three bodies from the rubble. Three more individuals were pulled out in critical condition and transported to the Sivaganga Government Hospital, where two succumbed to their injuries. The identities of the deceased are yet to be confirmed, though one victim is reported to be from Odisha.
Authorities, including police and revenue officials, have arrived at the scene and intensified rescue operations amid fears that more individuals may still be trapped beneath the debris. Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse and assess potential safety violations.
This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent safety measures and regular inspections in quarry operations to prevent such tragedies in the future.