New Delhi: Eight bodies have been recovered from a stone quarry site at Maudarh village in Mizoram’s Hnahthial district after 12 workers were feared trapped inside the quarry which collapsed on Monday, reported news agency ANI. The search operation is underway and a team of National Disaster Response Force comprising two officers and 13 staff members have reached the spot this morning, said Hnahthial Deputy Commissioner, R Lalremsanga, quoted by the news agency.
Around 12 workers were feared trapped after a huge portion of a stone quarry of a private company collapsed while the workers were working in the stone pit, said an official of the Mizoram Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department.
Workers of ABCI Infrastructure Private Limited along with five Hitachi excavators, and other drilling machines were buried under the rubble.
"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.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vineet Kumar said 13 people were working at the place when it caved in. The workers managed to escape from the spot, but the remaining 12 failed to do so and were trapped under the debris, the SP added.
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Volunteers of Young Mizo Association (YMA) from nearby villages rushed to the spot for the rescue operation. A medical team has also been sent to 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.
Those familiar with the incident said that loose soil caved in from above while the workers were breaking and collecting stones at the quarry.
Of the tewlve workers, 5 were from West Bengal, 3 from Assam, and two each from Jharkhand and Mizoram, reported ANI.