Quarry blast in Andhra’s Bapatla kills 6 migrant workers; several hurt

Bapatla: At least six migrant workers from Odisha were killed and several others critically injured when massive boulders collapsed during a blasting operation at a private granite quarry in Ballikurava mandal of Bapatla district on Sunday.

The tragic incident occurred just minutes after the workers began their shift around 9 am, catching them unaware as part of the quarry’s edge gave way.

Rescue operations launched

According to police sources, 15–20 workers were present at the site when the accident took place. Personnel from the police and revenue departments quickly reached the spot and launched an intense rescue operation to retrieve the bodies trapped under debris.

Eight critically injured workers were rushed to a hospital in Narsaraopeta, while others were shifted to nearby healthcare facilities.

CM Naidu expresses shock

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the loss of lives and immediately directed senior officials to oversee rescue and relief efforts.

He instructed district authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured and to conduct a thorough investigation into the mishap.

CM Naidu also emphasised the need to enforce stringent safety protocols in such hazardous industries to prevent future tragedies.

Bapatla District Collector J Venkata Murali and Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi reached the site and are monitoring the ongoing operations. Local officials have been put on high alert.

Recurring safety concerns in quarries

Initial reports suggest that inadequate safety precautions may have led to the fatal collapse. This incident adds to a growing list of similar quarry-related tragedies in the state.

On May 16, three workers lost their lives in a blast at a private granite quarry in Dabbaguda, Srikakulam district. The use of gelatine sticks was suspected in that case, though the management allegedly tried to attribute the incident to lightning.

The State government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring strict compliance with safety norms in mining and quarrying operations. The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine the liability of the quarry management in Sunday’s disaster.