UP Mine Collapse: Death Toll Rises to Four as More Bodies Pulled From Debris
UP quarry collapse claims four lives in, mafia alleged.
Authorities in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, recovered three additional bodies from the debris of a collapsed stone quarry, elevating the confirmed death toll to four as of Monday. District Magistrate BN Singh reported that the retrieval operations extended through the night between Sunday and Monday, with one victim identified as Indrajit, a 30-year-old resident of Panari in Obra. Identification efforts continue for the remaining two bodies, amid challenging conditions posed by massive boulders obstructing rescue teams.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when a section of the quarry, operated by Krishna Mining Works, suddenly gave way, burying multiple workers beneath tons of rock. Additional Director General of Police for Varanasi Zone, Piyush Mordia, explained on Sunday that the clearance process is protracted due to the presence of heavy stones requiring specialized equipment. Initial alerts reached Obra Police Station around 4:30 PM on Saturday, prompting immediate deployment of emergency response units to the site.
Police have registered a case against the quarry owner, Madhusudan Singh, and his partner Dilip Keshari—both locals of Obra—based on a complaint filed by Chhotu Yadav, whose two brothers remain among those feared trapped. The accused face charges related to the collapse but have not yet been apprehended, as investigations probe potential lapses in safety protocols and operational compliance. Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma confirmed that the complaint highlights the entrapment of several laborers under the rubble.
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Samajwadi Party Member of Parliament from Robertsganj, Chotelal Kharwar, accused local police and administrative officials of colluding with mining mafias to facilitate illegal operations. He estimated that 12 to 15 individuals may still be entombed, asserting that such tragedies recur monthly in the region due to unchecked illicit extraction targeting tribal communities. Kharwar further claimed he was prevented by police from consoling affected families and demanded Rs 50 lakh compensation per deceased victim’s kin, along with government employment for one family member each.
Rescue operations persist with heightened urgency, as allegations of systemic corruption and enforcement failures amplify calls for accountability. The recurring nature of mining accidents in Sonbhadra underscores deficiencies in regulatory oversight, prompting demands for comprehensive probes into licensing, safety adherence, and official complicity in hazardous unauthorized activities.
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