Bhubaneswar, 04 January (H.S.): Two bodies were recovered on Sunday from beneath a mound of soil at an illegal stone quarry in the Gopalpur area under Motanga police station limits in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, following a blast that triggered a soil collapse, officials said.

The bodies were retrieved by Fire Services personnel during an ongoing search and rescue operation. Confirming the fatalities, North Central Range Inspector General of Police Satyabrata Bhoi said no other workers were injured in the incident. He explained that a large stone fell on the workers while they were drilling holes in preparation for blasting with explosives.

Rescue efforts involved one team of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and two teams from the Fire Services. Heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, was deployed to remove debris and soil, while a dog squad was also pressed into service to assist in the search operation.

The incident came to light late Saturday night, prompting immediate response from the local administration and police, who rushed to the spot and secured the area. The Odapada Tehsildar, along with personnel from Motanga police station, initiated a preliminary inquiry. The entire quarry site was cordoned off, and public entry was restricted as a precautionary measure.

Senior officials, including the Tehsildar, the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Motanga police station, and other senior police officers, remained at the site through the night to monitor the situation and assess potential risks. Authorities initially sought to determine whether more workers were trapped or injured following the blast.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda