A coal hopper from Dalmia Cement Factory collapsed in Rajgangpur of Sundargarh district on Thursday evening trapping the workers under tonnes of coal.
While 64 workers have been rescued, three others are still trapped.
The mishap occurred as a coal hopper, used for storing large quantities of coal before it is moved to a boiler, gave way, leading to the workers becoming trapped beneath tons of debris.
The missing individuals have been identified as Susant Rout, Dasaratha Patra, and Ranjit Bhol. Rescuers have deployed six fire brigade teams and are utilising cranes on-site to rescue the trapped employees safely.
Following the accident, the company’s gates have been shut, leading to unrest among those outside. Relatives and colleagues of the missing workers have gathered, seeking answers and reassurance.
Meanwhile, the company has pledged full cooperation with rescue teams and has commenced an internal investigation regarding the mishap. Safety protocols are under review to prevent future occurrences.