Two Killed In Blast At Illegal Stone Quarry In Odisha, More Feared Trapped
Rescue operations underway in Dhenkanal; quarry lacked permission for blasting, officials say
Bhubaneswar: At least two workers were killed and several others are feared trapped after a powerful explosion rocked an illegal stone quarry in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district, officials said on Sunday.
The blast occurred late Saturday night at a quarry near Gopalpur in the Motanga area under Motanga police station limits. Fire Services personnel recovered two bodies from beneath a heap of stone debris, while rescue teams continued efforts amid fears that more workers may be buried under the rubble.
Rescue operations were ongoing at the time of reporting, with teams from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and two units of the Fire Services deployed at the site. Earth-moving machines, including JCB excavators, were pressed into service to clear debris carefully, officials said. The area was cordoned off to ensure the safety of rescue personnel and prevent public movement.
Local residents alerted authorities soon after the explosion, prompting a swift response from the district administration and police. Officials said the primary focus remains on cautiously removing debris, as the possibility of additional workers being trapped cannot yet be ruled out.
Senior revenue and police officials, including the Odapada tahasildar and personnel from Motanga police station, reached the site and initiated a preliminary investigation. Police have sealed the area and deployed additional personnel to maintain law and order.
Initial findings have raised serious questions about regulatory lapses. Officials said the quarry did not have valid permission to carry out blasting operations. According to official sources, the Dhenkanal district mining office had issued a notice to the leaseholder on September 8, 2025, directing the closure of the quarry due to the absence of mandatory blasting approval.
Despite the directive, blasting activities allegedly continued at the site in violation of norms. The district mining officer and the leaseholder could not be reached for comment.
