Two days after six quarry workers were crushed to death in a suspected controlled explosion in Tamil Nadu’s Sivaganga district on May 20, the Sivaganga police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the quarry owners, who are absconding.
The incident took place at Mega Blue Metals, a private stone quarry located at Mallakottai in Singampunari Taluk. According to local officials, the stone quarry has been temporarily sealed after the incident, and operations have come to a grinding halt.
According to officials, six workers — Ganesan, Andisamy, Harshith, Muruganandham, Arumugam, and Michael — were employed inside a 400-feet-deep pit at the Mega Blue Metals stone quarry on Tuesday. Five out of the six workers died on the spot. Michael, who was admitted to hospital, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday.
On May 20, several rocks suddenly slid down, trapping the workers under the debris. Authorities suspect that the rockslide may have been triggered by a controlled explosion within the quarry. However, an investigation is underway by the Department of Mines officials, they added.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the SS Kottai police and fire and rescue personnel rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations. Andisamy, Ganesan, and Harshith died on the spot, while Muruganandham and Arumugam were declared brought dead. Michael was rescued in critical condition and admitted to hospital. He succumbed to his injuries and died on Thursday, May 22.
Local officials also confirmed that at least 200 to 300 workers from other states were working at the quarry, and they have been moved out. Speaking to TNM, Parimala, Thasildar of Singampunari, said that the owners of the quarry were absconding and officials were unable to serve the order directly. “The order for closing down the quarry was pasted on the gates,” she told TNM.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Cooperatives KR Periyakaruppan and Sivaganga District Collector Asha Ajith inspected the site. Chief Minister MK Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh to the injured worker from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.Meta title: 6 workers have died in Sivaganga rockfall in Tamil Nadu.