A massive granite rock collapse at a stone quarry in Madapattana, Bengaluru South Taluk, killed eight workers, most of them from Bihar.
The accident occurred early Thursday morning when daily-wage labourers engaged in quarrying operations were trapped beneath falling boulders. Police confirmed that the victims died on the spot, while several injured workers were rushed to a private hospital.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar expressed grief and vowed strict action against quarry owners violating safety regulations. He emphasised that ensuring worker safety is the responsibility of quarry operators. Yashwanthpur MLA S T Somashekar alleged that illegal quarrying had been rampant in the area for years and accused officials from the police, forest, and mining departments of complicity. He demanded accountability and warned that influential figures should not escape justice.
Rescue teams cordoned off the site and launched operations to clear debris and search for trapped workers. Witnesses reported that about 18 labourers from Bihar and North Karnataka were present when a huge rock fell from nearly 40 feet. The impact mangled loading vehicles and shattered a tractor, underscoring the severity of the collapse.
