Deadly rockfall at Odisha quarry traps workers, several feared dead

A devastating rock collapse at a stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district has left several workers feared dead, triggering a high-stakes rescue operation on January 3. The catastrophe struck while laborers were drilling and extracting stone near Gopalpur village under Motanga police jurisdiction, officials confirmed.

The exact number of trapped workers remains unknown, as does the cause behind the collapse, intensifying fears and urgency on the ground. Rescue teams—including Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), fire services, and canine units—have rushed to the site, deploying heavy machinery in a desperate bid to reach survivors.

Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar are personally overseeing rescue efforts, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Expressing profound sorrow, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended condolences to the victims’ families and called for swift, thorough investigations into safety lapses. “Let appropriate investigations be conducted into the circumstances under which this incident occurred and the state of the workers’ safety measures,” he urged, emphasizing the need for immediate focus on rescue and relief.

As the community awaits news, the tragedy highlights urgent questions over quarry safety protocols and the precarious conditions faced by laborers in such hazardous environments.