Bengaluru: Seven daily-wage labourers from Bihar were killed on Thursday morning after a massive boulder collapsed at a stone quarry in Madapattana, located in Bengaluru South Taluk. The tragedy occurred during the early morning hours while the workers were actively engaged in routine quarrying operations at the stone crusher unit. According to local police, a massive rock fell from a height of approximately 40 feet, trapping the workers beneath the heavy debris and causing them to die on the spot.
Initial reports from the site indicate that around 18 labourers were present when the sudden collapse happened. While seven individuals lost their lives instantly, several other workers sustained injuries and were quickly shifted to a nearby private hospital for urgent medical treatment. Authorities are currently verifying the exact number of injured persons as rescue operations continue.
Emergency response teams, including rescue personnel and local police, rushed to the scene immediately following the incident to launch a comprehensive search and rescue operation. The entire area has been cordoned off by officials who are clearing the heavy debris to ensure no other labourers remain trapped underneath the fallen rock.
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating that quarry owners bear a strict responsibility to ensure the safety and security of their workforce. He warned that the government will take appropriate legal action against any operators found violating safety regulations. Local police have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to evaluate whether structural negligence or safety violations contributed to the fatal accident. Efforts are also underway to contact and inform the families of the deceased victims in Bihar.
