Malkangiri: Two labourers were killed and one sustained injuries in a rock fall incident at an illegal quarry in Odisha’s Malkangiri district on Friday.
According to sources, the incident occurred at Pathar Kuanari behind the Tarini Temple, when a massive boulder suddenly dislodged and fell on workers engaged in loading soil into a tractor trolley,
The victims have been identified as Mitu Madhi (37) of Champakhari village and Tuna Gadua (24) of Satyamguda village. While one of the died on the spot from the impact, Mitu succumbed to injuries during treatment after being shifted to the district headquarters hospital in Malkangiri along with the injured worker, Bijay Rao from Champakhari. The condition of the injured worker is stated to be stable.
The accident triggered tension in the locality, with villagers demanding strict action against those responsible for operating the quarry without authorisation. They also sought compensation for the bereaved families, pointing to the unsafe conditions under which daily wage labourers are forced to work.
Police have confirmed the deaths and initiated an investigation into the quarry’s operations, focusing on how it was functioning illegally and whether negligence played a role in the tragedy.
