Bengaluru, 2 July

Seven migrant labourers, including five from Madhya Pradesh, were killed and five others injured after a massive granite rock slid from a quarry and crushed workers at Madapattana in Bengaluru Urban district on Thursday. Four labourers escaped unhurt.

Police initially identified most of the victims as being from Bihar but later clarified that five were from Madhya Pradesh, while one each hailed from Chhattisgarh and Yadgir.

Deputy Inspector General (Central Range) S Girish said 16 labourers were working at two crusher units when the accident occurred. "A drilling machine was operating on the upper level when a huge rock slid down and fell on those working below. Seven died on the spot," he said, adding that the injured were out of danger. Girish blamed "obvious negligence" and pointed to lapses in safety.

An official from the Mines and Geology Department, Rangappa, said the quarry owner had agreed to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the families of each deceased worker and Rs 5 lakh to each injured labourer.

Scenes of grief unfolded at the site as relatives mourned the victims. A family member of the deceased worker from Yadgir said they had moved to Bengaluru to repay debts incurred after their daughters' marriages and had now lost their sole breadwinner. The impact of the accident also left loading vehicles mangled, while a tractor was smashed into pieces.

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced fresh quarrying guidelines and said authorities would examine whether operations were being carried out in accordance with safety norms. Preliminary findings suggested the collapse was caused by soil erosion rather than blasting, though a detailed inquiry had been ordered.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara said the government would investigate the approval process for quarrying licences and act against any irregularities.

Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy alleged a "big lobby" prioritised profits over workers' safety, while Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the state government of failing to enforce safety regulations after visiting the injured in hospital.