Four Workers are Feared Killed in Stone Quarry Explosion in Odisha’s Dhenkanal

Four Workers are Feared Killed in Stone Quarry Explosion in Odisha’s Dhenkanal

Several workers feared trapped, probe underway

CNB World Times

Dhenkanal, 4^th Jan’2026: At least four workers are feared killed in a tragic stone quarry explosion in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. The incident took place on Saturday evening at a stone quarry near Gopalpur village under the jurisdiction of Motanga police station. The blast triggered a massive rock collapse, trapping several workers under debris.

According to initial reports, workers were engaged in drilling and stone extraction when the explosion occurred. A large section of rocks suddenly gave way, leading to a landslide inside the quarry. The quarry is said to be nearly 40 feet deep, raising fears that more workers may still be buried under soil and stones.

The deceased workers are reported to belong to the Munda community from the Deogarh area. One of the confirmed deceased has been identified as Abhi Singh from Nilagiri in Balasore district, who was living at the site with his family. Officials said some of the labourers were from outside the state.

Suspicion has grown as the information about the incident reached authorities after a long delay. There are concerns that the bodies of the dead workers may have been removed or hidden elsewhere. So far, no family members or relatives have arrived at the quarry site to claim the bodies, further deepening the mystery.

Till late night, search operations continued at the quarry in the presence of the Inspector-in-Charge, Motanga police, and the Matang Tehsildar. Dense fog in the area hampered visibility and delayed efforts to gather information from nearby earth workers. Officials believe that the explosion may have caused a large landslide, burying workers deep under the ground.

Rescue operations are underway with teams from the local fire service, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and a dog squad deployed at the site. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris and locate trapped workers. The exact number of casualties is yet to be confirmed.

Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar have reached the spot to supervise the rescue and investigation. The district administration has cordoned off the area to ensure safety and smooth operations.

Preliminary reports suggest that illegal blasting may have been carried out at the quarry without proper permission. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion and examining whether safety norms were violated.

Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident. In a post on X, he conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased and called for a thorough investigation to ensure worker safety. He also urged officials to expedite rescue efforts.

Officials said more clarity on the incident will emerge after the completion of rescue operations and investigation. The tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns over safety practices in stone quarries across the state.