A tragic mine collapse in Uttar Pradesh’s Sonbhadra district on Saturday has left emergency teams racing to save workers buried under heavy stone debris. Officials have confirmed two deaths, while many more are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed quarry.
Chaos at Billi Markundi Mining Belt
The incident occurred in the Billi Markundi area under Obra police station limits. Workers were operating in the stone mine when a portion suddenly gave way, trapping multiple labourers beneath falling rock. Authorities have not yet determined exactly how many people remain inside.
Rescue Teams Mobilised With Heavy Equipment
Soon after the collapse, personnel from the NDRF and SDRF arrived and began clearing layers of stone using cranes and specialised machinery. The district administration also brought in equipment and teams from the Obra Thermal Power Project and two private companies to speed up the effort.
District Magistrate Badrinath Singh, who reached the location immediately, said additional gear was still being moved to the site and that investigators would look into what triggered the failure of the mine structure.
Workers Identify Missing Colleagues
One of the labourers at the site, Chhotu Yadav, said his brothers Santosh and Indrajit were among those trapped when the mine caved in. Another worker noted that nine compressors were functioning at the time, each with an operator, suggesting several workers may still be inside.
State Government Promises Action
A Uttar Pradesh minister stated that around a dozen people were working in the mine when the collapse happened. He assured that an inquiry would be launched and warned that strict measures would follow against anyone found negligent.
Senior Officials Oversee Relief Work
Administrative and police officers including SDM Vivek Kumar Singh, Circle Officer Harsh Pandey, and station heads Vijay Chaurasia (Obra) and Kumud Shekhar Singh (Chopan) monitored the scene as night-long operations continued.
Search Efforts Continue
With officials estimating that 12–15 people could be trapped, rescuers are attempting to create safe passages through stacked stone layers. Authorities say more information will be available once deeper sections of the debris are cleared.
