Sonbhadra Stone Mine Collapse: Death Toll Rises to Seven as Large Scale Rescue Operations Continue, Government Orders Three Tier Probe

The death toll from the devastating stone mine collapse in Sonbhadra district of eastern Uttar Pradesh has risen to seven, with authorities recovering another body from beneath the rubble on Monday. The latest victim was identified as Gulab Kharwar, 32, a resident of the Obra police station area. His recovery has deepened the grief among local communities already shaken by the tragic incident.

The collapse occurred on Saturday afternoon at a quarry operated by Krishna Mining Works, located in Billi Markundi, a region known for its extensive mining activities. According to officials, labourers were in the middle of drilling operations when a massive portion of the quarry wall suddenly caved in, trapping several workers under large slabs of stone and debris.

Rescue operations are still underway, with authorities stating that as many as a dozen workers may still be trapped underground. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force, local police, fire services, and the district administration have been deployed at the site, working continuously to remove the debris. Heavy machinery including excavators and earthmovers has been brought in to speed up the search efforts.

UP Minister Sanjeev Kumar Gond and Robertsganj MP Chotelal Kharwar, who visited the site to oversee rescue operations, said the government is committed to continuing the operation until every trapped worker is accounted for. “We will not stop this search until every stone is lifted and every individual is found,” the minister said, urging families to remain hopeful.

The state government has also announced a three tier probe into the incident. The investigation will be jointly conducted by the police, the mining department, and the district administration. The objective is to determine whether illegal mining, negligence, or violations of safety guidelines contributed to the collapse.

During a meeting with the bereaved families on Monday, UP Minister Ravindra Jaiswal assured that the government would provide financial assistance of around Rs 20 lakh to the family of each deceased worker. He added that all affected labourers would receive support under Labour Department schemes. He stressed that strict action would be taken against anyone found guilty of violating mining regulations or ignoring safety protocols.

Meanwhile, the police have booked the owner of Krishna Mining Works and his partners, Madhusudan Singh and Dilip Keshari, both residents of Obra. The FIR was lodged after a complaint by Chhotu Yadav, a resident of Parsoi Tola, who lost his two brothers, Indrajeet Yadav and Santosh Yadav, in the tragedy. Their bodies were recovered on Sunday, heightening the anguish of families waiting for news about missing loved ones.

Sonbhadra Superintendent of Police Abhishek Verma confirmed that teams are actively searching for the three accused. “We are conducting raids at multiple locations. The accused will be arrested soon,” he said.

The incident has sparked widespread concern over safety standards in mining operations across Uttar Pradesh. Labour unions and local residents have demanded stricter monitoring, citing repeated accidents in the region’s mines. As rescue efforts continue, the tragedy has once again exposed major gaps in the enforcement of mining safety regulations, raising questions that authorities and operators will now be compelled to address.