One Dead, Several Missing After Quarry Collapse in Sonbhadra; Massive NDRF Rescue Operation Underway

New Delhi, November 16: One worker was killed and several others are feared trapped after a stone quarry collapsed in the Billi Markundi mining area under Obra Police Station limits in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred around 1500 hours on Saturday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.

According to an official statement issued by the NDRF, the collapse occurred during blasting operations when a section of the quarry face suddenly caved in. “Initial information indicated that several workers were trapped under the debris,” the statement said. Emergency alerts were issued immediately, and an NDRF team was rushed to the spot to support district administration efforts.

Through the night-long operation, rescue teams recovered one body from beneath the rubble. As of Sunday evening, multiple workers were still unaccounted for, and search efforts continued with the support of NDRF rescuers, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, local police, and Mining Department officials.

Rescue operations remain difficult due to the unstable structure of the quarry. Officials noted that repeated slipping of loose soil and rocks is slowing progress, as teams must frequently halt work to prevent additional collapses. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel remain committed to reaching all missing labourers. Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, drilling tools, and thermal imaging devices are being used to cut through thick layers of stone and detect signs of life.

The seriousness of the incident prompted senior police and administrative officials to reach the site overnight. In an update posted on X, Additional Director General (ADG) Varanasi Zone Piyush Mordia said (loosely translated from Hindi): “There is a possibility that several quarry workers are trapped after stones collapsed at Krishna Mining Works in Billi Markundi. NDRF, SDRF, and police teams are conducting rescue operations. I have been at the site since last night along with NDRF Deputy Commandant Naveen Sharma and other officials.”

Another post from the Uttar Pradesh Police on X highlighted the urgency of the response: “Police received information that several people were buried after a hill section collapsed at Krishna Mining Works. Obra Police immediately reached the spot and began rescue operations. ADG Varanasi Zone inspected the site, gathered details from officials, and issued necessary instructions.”

Local sources report that several workers may still be trapped under large boulders. Continuous drilling, debris removal, and scanning operations are underway as authorities race against time. Teams are also assessing structural vulnerabilities across the quarry to prevent secondary collapses that could endanger rescuers.

Meanwhile, families of the trapped workers have gathered at the site, anxiously waiting for updates. District officials have assured them that all available resources—from specialised rescue equipment to additional personnel—are being deployed.

The NDRF has reaffirmed that operations will continue until every missing worker is accounted for. The agency emphasised that the rescue mission remains its highest priority and that coordination among all responding departments will be maintained until the situation is fully resolved.

New Delhi, Nov 2025: One worker was killed and several others are feared trapped after a stone quarry collapsed in the Billi Markundi mining area under Obra Police Station limits in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident occurred around 1500 hours on Saturday, triggering a large-scale search and rescue operation by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local authorities.

According to an official statement issued by the NDRF, the collapse occurred during blasting operations when a section of the quarry face suddenly caved in. “Initial information indicated that several workers were trapped under the debris,” the statement said. Emergency alerts were issued immediately, and an NDRF team was rushed to the spot to support district administration efforts.

Through the night-long operation, rescue teams recovered one body from beneath the rubble. As of Sunday evening, multiple workers were still unaccounted for, and search efforts continued with the support of NDRF rescuers, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel, local police, and Mining Department officials.

Rescue operations remain difficult due to the unstable structure of the quarry. Officials noted that repeated slipping of loose soil and rocks is slowing progress, as teams must frequently halt work to prevent additional collapses. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel remain committed to reaching all missing labourers. Heavy machinery, sniffer dogs, drilling tools, and thermal imaging devices are being used to cut through thick layers of stone and detect signs of life.

The seriousness of the incident prompted senior police and administrative officials to reach the site overnight. In an update posted on X, Additional Director General (ADG) Varanasi Zone Piyush Mordia said (loosely translated from Hindi): “There is a possibility that several quarry workers are trapped after stones collapsed at Krishna Mining Works in Billi Markundi. NDRF, SDRF, and police teams are conducting rescue operations. I have been at the site since last night along with NDRF Deputy Commandant Naveen Sharma and other officials.”

Another post from the Uttar Pradesh Police on X highlighted the urgency of the response: “Police received information that several people were buried after a hill section collapsed at Krishna Mining Works. Obra Police immediately reached the spot and began rescue operations. ADG Varanasi Zone inspected the site, gathered details from officials, and issued necessary instructions.”

Local sources report that several workers may still be trapped under large boulders. Continuous drilling, debris removal, and scanning operations are underway as authorities race against time. Teams are also assessing structural vulnerabilities across the quarry to prevent secondary collapses that could endanger rescuers.

Meanwhile, families of the trapped workers have gathered at the site, anxiously waiting for updates. District officials have assured them that all available resources—from specialised rescue equipment to additional personnel—are being deployed.

The NDRF has reaffirmed that operations will continue until every missing worker is accounted for. The agency emphasised that the rescue mission remains its highest priority and that coordination among all responding departments will be maintained until the situation is fully resolved.