Massive granite rock collapse kills eight workers at Bengaluru quarry

Bengaluru: At least eight workers, most of them migrant labourers from Bihar, were killed after a massive granite rock collapsed at a stone quarry in Bengaluru South Taluk on Thursday morning, police said.

The incident took place at Madapattana, on the border of Bengaluru Urban and Bengaluru South district, while labourers were carrying out quarrying operations at a stone crusher site.

According to police, the workers were trapped beneath the falling boulders and died at the scene. Several others were injured and rushed to a private hospital, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as some of the injured remain in a critical condition.

Rescue teams and police rushed to the site, cordoned off the area and launched an operation to clear the debris and search for any additional workers who may have been trapped.

One of the labourers at the quarry said around 18 workers from Bihar and North Karnataka were on site when a huge rock, estimated to have fallen from a height of around 40 feet, crashed onto them. The impact was so severe that loading vehicles were crushed and a tractor was torn apart.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed grief over the tragedy, saying quarry operators have a responsibility to ensure the safety of workers. He warned that strict action would be taken against quarry owners found to have violated safety regulations.

Meanwhile, Yeshwanthpur MLA S T Somashekar alleged that he had repeatedly raised concerns about illegal quarrying in the area, including in the Karnataka Assembly. He claimed officials from the police, forest and mining departments had failed to act and demanded that those responsible be prosecuted.

Somashekar also said a leopard had previously been killed due to blasting activities at the quarry, calling the latest incident a consequence of long-standing negligence.

Authorities are working to notify the families of the deceased, who are believed to be mostly from Bihar. Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and whether any safety violations or negligence contributed to the accident.

Response from PMO office