Soro: A labourer was killed while five others sustained critical injuries during the blasting of explosives at an illegal stone quarry at Mahumuhan Khanjamahal hill under this block in Balasore district, Wednesday. The deceased was identified as Tiri Singh of Mitrapur village under Nilagiri block in Balasore district. Six of them came under a huge rock during the blast.
On being informed, fire personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the workers from under the rock. While one of them died on the spot, the rest five were admitted to Soro Hospital. The local tehsildar, police, and fire personnel assisted in the rescue operation. Police are yet to recover the body as the quarry owner is stated to have concealed the body. Reports said the quarry number 73 is owned by one Pradip Dhar but it is lying closed due to the expiry of the lease term. The local administration has clamped prohibitory orders under Section-144 at the quarry site.
Locals, however, said that a man from nearby Gobindpur village is blasting explosives to extract stones despite the imposition of curbs.
