A stone mine collapse in Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Sonbhadra district on Saturday resulted in at least one death, while nearly 15 people are feared trapped under the debris, according to initial reports. Rescue teams are working through the rubble to locate survivors, and the recovered body marks the first confirmed fatality.
The incident took place in the Billi Markundi mining zone under the Obra police station limits. State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, and teams from private companies and the Obra Thermal Power Project joined the operation shortly after the collapse. District Magistrate Badrinath Singh, who visited the spot, said additional machinery is being brought in to speed up the rescue efforts.
The cause of the collapse is still unclear, and officials have confirmed that a formal investigation will be launched. Workers at the site reported that around a dozen labourers were present when the mine gave way. One of them, Chhotu Yadav, said his two brothers, Santosh and Indrajit, are among those trapped.
Authorities noted that nine compressors were functioning at the site, with one worker assigned to each. Officials, including Obra SDM Vivek Kumar Singh, Circle Officer Harsh Pandey, and police officers from Obra and Chopan, were present to oversee the rescue and coordinate relief efforts. The state government has assured strict action against anyone found responsible once the probe concludes.

At least one dead and several feared trapped after a mine collapses in UP’s Sonbhadra

Sonbhadra Mine Collapse One Dead, Many Trapped

At least one dead and several feared trapped after a mine collapses in UP’s Sonbhadra

November 16, 2025 | 09:57 IST