UP Mine Collapse in Sonbhadra: 3 Dead, 9 Trapped
UP Mine Collapse in Sonbhadra: 3 Dead, 9 Trapped
Three workers killed, nine others feared trapped as a stone quarry caves in at Billi Markundi in Sonbhadra. Rescue teams race against time amid a magisterial probe.
Three workers were killed after a stone mine collapsed at Billi Markundi in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, on Saturday. Officials confirmed that the toll rose to three with two bodies recovered on Sunday and the third identified at the site on the day of the incident itself. Nine others are believed to be trapped in the debris, and rescue teams are racing against time to reach them as operations continue. Around 12 workers are believed to have been at the mining site at the time of the collapse, officials said.
Search and rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed to the site, along with local authorities. They are working to clear the debris and widen access to the collapsed area, but the operation is slow due to large stones tumbling from the hill and the depth of the quarry. Officials added that it is not possible to quote exact figures while rescue work is ongoing.
A magisterial probe has been ordered to determine the cause of the incident, and officials promised that action would be taken against those responsible if lapses are found. The district administration has said it is coordinating the rescue effort at the site, with top officials and police leading the response. The situation prompted a visit from UP minister Sanjeev Gond, who assured that a thorough inquiry would be conducted and accountability pursued.
The rescue effort relied on heavy machinery and coordinated teams to clear rock and reach the trapped workers. It remains unclear how many remain trapped as responders work through the night and into the following day. One identified victim was Raju Singh, a 30-year-old resident of Panari village in Sonbhadra district. The incident underscores the ongoing concerns about safety standards in mining sites and the urgent need for stricter oversight to prevent future tragedies.
Cover image source: At least one dead, 15 feared trapped as portion of stone quarry collapses in U.P.’s Sonbhadra; rescue ops underway 🔗
