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New Delhi, November 16 (IANS) One person died and several workers went missing after a stone mine collapsed in the Cati Markundi mining area of Obra police station area of Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
The incident occurred around 1500 hrs on Saturday and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued the search operation.
According to an NDRF statement, the tragedy occurred when a portion of the mine caved in during blasting.
“Preliminary information indicates that several employees are trapped under the debris,” the release said.
In response, an NDRF team was immediately deployed to the site to assist local authorities.
The statement further said, “During the overnight operation, the team recovered one body. Search for the remaining missing workers is ongoing and NDRF rescue teams are continuing operations in coordination with the local administration and other agencies.”
Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs and technical equipment are being used to cut through thick layers of collapsed stone.
Officials said the mine’s unstable structure and frequent slips of loose material were slowing rescue operations, but teams were determined to locate all missing workers.
The seriousness of the incident prompted senior officials to reach the spot overnight.
In an update posted on Twitter, ADG Zone Varanasi Piyush Mordia said (translated into Hindi), “There is a possibility that some miners are trapped after rockfall at Krishna Mining Works in Bili Markundi. NDRF, SDRF and local police teams are carrying out rescue operations. I, along with NDRF Deputy Commandant Naveen Sharma and other officials, are present at the site since last night.”
Another post by UP Police on
Local sources indicate that many workers may still be trapped under heavy stones.
Continuous drilling, debris removal and thermal scanning is going on as officials race against time. NDRF, SDRF, district police and mining department officials are jointly assessing the structural risks to prevent further collapse during the rescue effort.
Families of the stranded workers remained gathered near the site till Sunday, anxiously awaiting updates as officials assured them that every possible resource was being deployed.
The NDRF has said that it will continue the operation until every missing employee is traced.
The press release emphasized the force’s commitment, noting that the mission is the top priority for all responding agencies.
–IANS
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