Around 12-15 labourers are feared trapped after a stone quarry collapsed in Mizoram's Hnahthial district, about 160 km from Aizawl, on Monday, PTI reported. An official of the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department said a huge portion of a stone quarry of a private company suddenly collapsed when the workers were working in the stone pit.
Around 12-15 workers of ABCI Infrastructure Private Limited, along with five Hitachi excavators, and other drilling machines have been buried under the quarry.
"As many as 15 labourers are feared trapped after a stone quarry collapsed in Mizoram's Hnahthial district. The incident took place in Maudarh area in Hnahthial district at around 3 pm," ANI quoted Saizikpuii, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Hnahthial district, as saying.
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Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Kumar said 13 people were working at the place when it caved in.
While one worker managed to escape from the spot, the remaining 12 failed to do so and were trapped under the debris, the SP told PTI.
Volunteers of Young Mizo Association (YMA) from nearby villages rushed to the spot for the rescue operation. A medical team has also been sent at the accident site.
Personnel from State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Security Force and Assam Rifles have been deployed to assist in the search and rescue operations.
People familiar with the incident said loose soil caved in from the above while the labourers were breaking and collecting the stones at the quarry.
Maudarh is a small hamlet located about 23 km away from Hnahthial town. The company, which is constructing a highway between Hnahthial and Dawn village, collects stones or boulders from the quarry.
(With agency inputs)