What Caused the Fatal Granite Quarry Incident in Andhra Pradesh?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Six workers tragically lost their lives in a quarry accident.
- Inadequate safety measures are suspected to have contributed to the event.
- The victims were migrant workers from Odisha.
- Authorities are conducting a detailed investigation.
- Similar incidents have raised concerns about quarry safety in the region.
Amaravati, Aug 3 (NationPress) - A tragic incident occurred on Sunday at a granite quarry in Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the deaths of at least six workers when large boulders fell upon them.
The mishap took place at a private quarry located near Ballikurava in Bapatla district during normal operations.
At the time, approximately 15-20 workers were present when the quarry's edge gave way. Emergency services quickly arrived to initiate a rescue operation.
The victims were identified as migrant workers hailing from Odisha. Several others sustained injuries and were transported to various medical facilities.
Of the injured, eight individuals in critical condition were admitted to a hospital in Narsaraopeta. The workers had started their shift at 9 a.m. on Sunday, and just minutes later, boulders collapsed during a blasting operation.
High-ranking officials arrived on-site to oversee rescue efforts, with the revenue department supporting police operations. Efforts were ongoing to recover the deceased.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the quarry accident. He communicated with top officials, instructing them to promptly conduct rescue and relief work and ensure optimal medical treatment for the injured.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister requested district officials to perform a comprehensive investigation into the incident and implement measures to avert future occurrences.
Bapatla District Collector J. Venkata Murali and Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi informed local officials about the situation.
The lack of sufficient safety measures is suspected to have contributed to this catastrophe.
Similar tragedies have been reported in Andhra Pradesh's granite quarries previously.
For instance, three individuals lost their lives in a blast at a private granite quarry in Dabbaguda, Srikakulam district, on May 16, where the use of gelatine sticks was suspected to cause the explosion. The quarry management reportedly attempted to mislead authorities by suggesting that lightning was responsible for the fatalities.