2 bodies recovered from Sonbhadra stone quarry
VARANASI: Two bodies were recovered from a quarry in Billi Markundi stone quarry field in Obra area of Sonbhadra on Saturday, national disaster response force (NDRF) official carrying out rescue operation said.
“Rescue operation is still under way as three more persons are feared trapped in the quarry. Our team comprising around 40 men is engaged in the rescue work,” said NDRF inspector Neeraj Kumar. A senior police officer said the deceased labourers were identified as Surendra Gond (25) and Chhotelal (42), both resident of Patehara Gurmura in Chopan area of the district.
Meanwhile, district magistrate S Rajlingam said a probe was ordered into the matter.
Two persons were seriously injured in the stone quarry cave-in, in Obra area on Friday evening and four were feared trapped there. The two persons, including Rampal and Rajendra, who were rescued in the injured state on Friday evening, are under treatment at the hospital.
A police officer said an eyewitness told them that stone breaking and drilling was underway in the quarry behind Goddess Sharda Temple in the stone quarry area in Billi Markundi of Obra. Around eight labourers were working in the quarry. Suddenly, three big rocks fell from the top of a mine next to the quarry. All the labourers were trapped under it.
Moreover, Robertsganj MP Pakaudi Lal Kol said in October last year he wrote a letter to local administration asking them to look into the irregularities in mining in the Billi Markundi mining area. But no action was taken into the matter.
“Despite instructions by chief minister Yogi Adityanath, officials are working arbitrarily. I will meet the CM and request him to ensure strict action against the officials whose laxity led to the mishap in the quarry,” the MP added.