Pramesh S Jain
At least seven workers were killed and five others injured after a massive boulder collapsed at a stone quarry in Madapattan village on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Thursday morning,police said.
The incident occurred at the Kaveri Jelly Crusher, located in Bengaluru South taluk,at around 7.30 am., when labourers were engaged in routine quarrying operations.
Senior officer told reporters that nearly 15 to 20 workers, most of them migrant labourers from Bihar and Karnataka’s Yadgir district,were working at the site when a huge rock suddenly gave way and fell on them.
Seven workers died on the spot,while five others sustained serious injuries and were shifted to Rajarajeshwari Hospital for treatment.
Rescue teams have begun the operation to retrieve bodies and search for workers feared trapped under the debris.
He further said several labourers are still reported missing, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
Personnel from Tavarekere Police Station rushed to the spot soon after the incident and have launched an investigation.
The deceased were daily wage labourers who were reportedly staying in makeshift accommodation near the crusher unit.
The quarry is said to belong to a man identified as Anandaswamy.Police have taken the owner into custody for questioning as part of the investigation.The exact cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained.
