BENGALURU: Mutilated bodies trapped beneath tonnes of rock, twisted metal and shattered machinery painted a grim picture at the stone quarry in Bengaluru South, hours after a massive boulder came crashing down on workers.The force of the impact mangled a tractor, a tipper and other heavy equipment, while some of the victims’ bodies were crushed beyond recognition, making identification difficult. Rescue teams worked amid giant rocks and debris as the death toll rose to seven.The Karnataka Police claimed that the massive boulder that crushed seven workers to death at the quarry was pushed from an upper quarry by an excavator operating, indicating alleged negligence that led to the tragedy.The incident occurred at the Udayshankar Crusher unit in Madapatna village under the jurisdiction of the Tavarekere Police Station in Bengaluru South taluk. The upper quarry, identified as the Basaveshwara Crusher unit, is owned separately.Speaking to reporters after visiting the site, Central Zone IGP S Girish said, “There are two quarries at the location. The upper quarry belongs to one owner, while the lower quarry is owned by another. Work was underway at both sites early this morning. A JCB excavator operating at the upper quarry moved boulders, one of which rolled downhill and fell onto the workers at the quarry below.”“A total of 16 workers were at the lower quarry. Seven of them died on the spot. Five have been admitted to hospital, one of whom is in critical condition, while four others managed to escape,” the IGP said.President condoles deathsPresident Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and offered condolences to the bereaved families.“Pained by the loss of lives in an accident at a stone quarry in Bengaluru Urban District of Karnataka. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Murmu said on X.Earlier in the day, chief minister DK Shivakumar had said preliminary reports suggested the incident did not appear to have been caused by blasting.In a post on X, the chief minister extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and said strict action would be taken against quarries violating safety norms.“I pray that the departed souls attain eternal peace, that their families are granted the strength to bear this grief, and that the injured recover swiftly.”“It is the duty of quarry owners to ensure the life safety and security of workers engaged in quarry operations. The government will take appropriate action against quarries that violate regulations,” the post read.(With agency inputs)
