12 die in Mizoram quarry collapse

Twelve people were confirmed dead in Mizoram after a large portion of a stone quarry collapsed and fell on them while they were working, officials said, yesterday, adding that at least eight bodies have been retrieved so far.

The incident took place on Monday at Maudarh village in Mizoram’s Hnahthial district

An official of the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department earlier said at least 15 workers were buried alive after a huge portion of a stone quarry of a private company suddenly collapsed when the workers were working in the stone pit.

Hnahthial district’s Additional Superintendent of Police Vijoy Gurung said search operations were underway to rescue four more bodies.

“Continuance of the search and rescue operation is very difficult after the evening. Big stone boulders and other challenges are causing troubles to the rescuers,” Gurung told IANS.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Indonesia’s capital, Bali to attend the G20 Summit, yesterday condoled the deaths in the stone quarry disaster.