Seven workers killed in Madapattana quarry boulder collapse

At least seven workers were killed and five others were injured after a massive boulder collapsed at a stone quarry in Madapattana village, located in Bengaluru South taluk, on the morning of July 2. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at a stone crusher unit while labourers were engaged in routine quarrying operations and loading crushed stones onto a tractor.

According to the police, nearly 20 workers were active at the site when a huge rock suddenly gave way, falling on them from a height of more than 40 feet. Most of the victims were migrant labourers from Bihar and the Yadgir district in Karnataka. The deceased had been working as daily wage labourers at the quarry for over a year.

Gopi, a quarry worker from Tamil Nadu who managed to escape the collapse in the nick of time, stated that a few people were working at the top of the boulder. He explained that they were attempting to free the boulder when it broke loose and rolled down. He told media persons that if the workers on top had informed the others beforehand, many of the victims could have been saved.

Seven workers died on the spot due to the impact of the collapse. Five injured workers were rescued and shifted to Rajarajeshwari hospital for medical treatment.

Personnel from the Tavarekere Police Station rushed to the quarry shortly after the incident to launch an investigation and coordinate a rescue operation. Rescue teams are currently working to retrieve bodies and search for several missing labourers who are feared trapped under the debris. Police officers stated that several workers remain unaccounted for, raising fears that the death toll may rise.

The quarry is reportedly owned by a man identified as Anandaswamy. The labourers working at the site were staying in makeshift accommodation near the stone crusher unit. Police have taken Anandaswamy into custody for questioning as they investigate the exact cause of the collapse.