Amaravati/Bhubaneswar: At least six workers, reportedly from Odisha, were killed when massive boulders collapsed on them at a granite quarry in Andhra Pradesh Sunday.
The accident took place at a private quarry near Ballikurava in Bapatla district during routine operations, a source said.
About 15-20 workers were in the quarry when its edge collapsed. Police rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.
The deceased were said to be migrant workers from Odisha. Some other workers were reportedly injured and taken to various hospitals.
Eight critically injured people were admitted to a hospital at Narsaraopeta. The workers had come to duty at 9 am Sunday, and a few minutes later, boulders fell on them during the blasting operation, the source added.
Senior officials rushed to the spot and were supervising the rescue operation. Personnel of the revenue department were assisting the police in the rescue operation. Efforts were on to retrieve the bodies.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident in the granite quarry. He spoke to senior officials and directed them to immediately undertake rescue and relief operations. He also asked them to ensure the best treatment for those injured.
The Chief Minister also asked the district officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Bapatla District Collector J Venkata Murali and Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi alerted the local officials.
Lack of adequate safety precautions is believed to have led to the tragedy.
Similar incidents were reported in granite quarries in Andhra Pradesh in the past.
Three persons died in a blast in a private granite quarry at Dabbaguda in Melaiputti mandal in Srikakulam district May 16.
IANS
