Digapahandi: A 17-year-old boy was killed and another minor was seriously injured after large rocks fell on them while they were digging murram at an unauthorised quarry near Ustapalli village under Patiguda panchayat in Ganjam district’s Sanakhemundi block Saturday morning.
The deceased was identified as Binod Mallik of Ustapalli village under Sahadeb Tikarapada panchayat. The injured boy was identified as Ganesh Mallik, 15, a resident of Badagada police limits who was staying at his maternal aunt’s house in Ustapalli. The two were related.
Sources said the boys had hired a tractor from a resident of Keshpur village for their household work. They were allegedly digging murram from a foothill with the knowledge of the husband of a panchayat representative from Sahadeb Tikarapada. The person is alleged to have been involved in illegally excavating and transporting murram by tractor.
While the boys were digging, two large rocks from the upper portion of the hill reportedly came loose and fell on them. One rock struck Binod on the head, killing him on the spot, while Ganesh was trapped beneath another.
After receiving the information, fire services personnel reached the site and rescued both boys. They were taken to the Digapahandi Community Health Centre, where doctors declared Binod dead.
Ganesh was given first aid before being shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur in critical condition.
Personnel from the Podamari outpost under Pattapur police station visited the site and conducted an investigation. An unnatural death case has been registered.