Several people are feared dead after a large portion of rocks collapsed at a stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal District, officials said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday evening near the Gopalpur village under the Motanga police station area.
Workers were reportedly drilling and continuing stone extraction activities when a large section of the rocks collapsed, PTI reported.
The site is an illegal mining quarry. Official sources say that the Dhenkanal District mining office had previously issued a closure notice for the mining site, citing a lack of permission for blasting.
#WATCH | Dhenkanal, Odisha: Massive explosion at stone quarry, labourers trapped. pic.twitter.com/v9snDuvaoR
— ANI (@ANI) January 4, 2026
Despite the notice, mining activities continued, violating regulations.
The exact number of workers trapped under rocks is unknown. The number of deaths currently stands at 2.
Rescue teams from he local fire services have been dispatched. Odisha’s Disaster Rapid Action force, along with a dog squad and heavy machinery was rushed to the site after the incident
Officials say that locating the worker is difficult as the incident occurred at night.
Heavy machinery is being used to remove the large rocks.
In a post on X, Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, said, "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.
Police personnel have cordoned off the area, and they were designed to be restrictive.
