Death toll mounts to seven in Sonbhadra stone quarry collapse, rescue operations intensify

The death toll in the stone quarry collapse in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district has risen to seven after rescue teams recovered another body from the rubble late Monday evening, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The latest victim has been identified as 32-year-old Gulab Kharwar, a resident of the Obra police station area in Sonbhadra. His body was pulled out after hours of painstaking efforts by rescue personnel, who have been working relentlessly since the mishap occurred.

Officials said the collapse occurred when a section of the quarry suddenly gave way, trapping multiple workers under huge mounds of stone and earth. While exact figures of those present at the site during the incident are still being verified, authorities suspect more bodies could be buried under the debris.

District officials are overseeing relief operations, coordinating medical assistance, and arranging support for the families of the deceased. The administration has also initiated an inquiry into the cause of the collapse and whether safety norms were being followed at the quarry.

Local residents and families of the trapped workers gathered at the site, anxiously waiting for updates as rescue operations continue in challenging conditions.

“The teams are working round the clock. The terrain is difficult, but we are committed to ensuring that no one is left behind,” an official involved in the rescue said.

Meanwhile, the state government is expected to announce compensation for the victims’ families and take necessary action based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.