UP Mine Collapse: Three Dead, Nine Still Trapped as NDRF and SDRF Lead Rescue Operations
Three workers died and several remain trapped after a stone quarry collapsed in UP’s Sonbhadra district.
The tragic stone mine collapse at Billi Markundi in Uttar Pradesh's Sonbhadra district has now claimed three lives, with nine other workers feared trapped under massive debris as rescue operations intensify amid challenging conditions. The incident occurred on Saturday, November 15, 2025, when a portion of the quarry hillside gave way, burying workers who were actively mining at the site.
Uttar Pradesh Minister Sanjeev Gond, who visited the scene, confirmed that approximately 12 individuals were believed to be present during the collapse, highlighting the perilous nature of unregulated or poorly maintained mining operations in the mineral-rich Vindhya region. One victim has been identified as 30-year-old Raju Singh from nearby Panari village, with the other two bodies recovered on Sunday morning, underscoring the urgency of the ongoing search efforts.
Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed since the incident, working tirelessly to clear the rubble and reach the trapped miners, but progress has been hampered by the sheer size of the fallen boulders. Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Prakash, speaking to ANI, cautioned against speculating on exact numbers, noting that NDRF's Deputy Inspector General and Commandant are on-site coordinating the multi-agency response.
Additional Director General of Police Piyush Mordia explained that the large stones have slowed operations, though heavy machinery and specialized personnel are now in place to widen access and accelerate debris removal. The entire district administration is mobilized, with adequate resources ensuring round-the-clock efforts that began late Saturday night.
In response to the disaster, authorities have launched a magisterial inquiry to probe the causes, with District Magistrate Badrinath Singh assigning Additional District Magistrate Vagish Singh to lead the investigation and submit a detailed report. Minister Gond echoed the call for accountability, vowing strict action against any negligence by mine operators or officials responsible for safety oversight.
Sonbhadra, a hotspot for coal and stone mining, has witnessed similar accidents in the past due to factors like unstable terrain, inadequate safety protocols, and overburden extraction practices, prompting renewed scrutiny on enforcement of the Mines Act, 1952, and environmental regulations in the area.
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As families of the missing workers anxiously await news, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost associated with India's mining sector, which employs millions but often at great risk. Officials remain optimistic about rescuing the trapped individuals alive, emphasizing that every resource is being channeled to the site. This tragedy not only demands immediate relief for the affected but also systemic reforms to prevent future losses in vulnerable mining communities.
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