A tragic explosion in an illegal black stone quarry at Gopalpur village under Badalo and Nimidha panchayats of Motanga police limits killed five workers and sparked widespread outrage.
The blast erupted on Saturday afternoon when workers, without safety gear, used dynamite to break stones in a quarry more than 140 feet deep. As a result, two severed heads were recovered from beneath heavy rocks, while three bodies remained missing, fueling speculation and anger among locals.
Furthermore, reports revealed that quarry mafias continued illegal operations in Odapada tehsil, extracting stones with administrative and police support despite official records showing the quarry closed since 2025. In addition, allegations surfaced that victim bodies were removed to cover up deaths, with past incidents disguised as road accidents.
Meanwhile, police and tehsil officials, including Motanga IIC Deepak Kumar Lenka and Tehsildar Manoj Kumar Majhi, reached the site only in the evening. However, they failed to find clear evidence in the dark, and their delayed response drew sharp criticism from residents.
On Sunday, rescue operations intensified. Fire brigades from Khajuriakata and Hindol Road, three JCB machines, ODRAF teams, and dog squads joined the effort. Moreover, hundreds of locals gathered at the site, demanding accountability and transparency.
Later, District Collector Ishwar Ashish Patil and SP Abhinav Sonkar visited the quarry. They ordered strict action against those responsible. Additionally, Dhenkanal MP Rudra Narayan Pani directed officials to take firm measures, reinforcing the demand for justice.
Ultimately, the incident highlighted rampant illegal mining, administrative negligence, and the urgent need for stronger enforcement to protect workers’ lives.
RELATED STORY: Several Feared Dead in Massive Stone Quarry Explosion in Odisha; Rescue Operations Underway
