Several workers are feared dead after a massive rockfall triggered by an explosion at a stone quarry in Odisha&rsquo;s Dhenkanal district, officials said on Sunday.
The incident took place on Saturday evening at a quarry near Gopalpur village under the Motanga police station limits. At the time of the accident, workers were engaged in drilling and stone extraction activities when a large portion of rocks suddenly collapsed following an explosion.
Authorities said the exact number of workers trapped beneath the debris is still unclear, as rescue operations continue amid challenging conditions.
Teams from the local fire services, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, and a trained dog squad were immediately deployed to the site. Heavy machinery has also been pressed into service to remove debris and locate any survivors.
Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar reached the quarry to personally monitor and coordinate the rescue efforts.
The incident has drawn political reactions as well. Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the tragedy and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the explosion and the safety measures in place for workers. He also urged authorities to speed up rescue operations and ensure accountability.
Further details are awaited as rescue teams continue their search at the site.

Explosion-linked rockfall in Dhenkanal leaves workers feared trapped

Odisha Quarry Collapse Triggers Rescue Ops

Explosion-linked rockfall in Dhenkanal leaves workers feared trapped

January 4, 2026 | 17:52 IST