Nine killed in mine accident in Obra town in Uttar Pradesh

Obra, Feb 28 (ANI): At least nine labourers were killed and two critically injured in an accident at an illegal stone quarry mine in Obra town in Uttar Pradesh's Sonabhadra on Tuesday.

The accident happened at wee hours of the morning, the rock under which the labourers were engaged in mining crashed suddenly, crushing the workers to death.

Locals rushed to the spot and rescue operation were immediately initiated.

Ramesh, an eyewitness, told reporters that the mine was functioning illegally for the past several years and the authorities had never paid attention towards the safety of labourers.

"This site has been running illegally for many years. Neither the administration nor the district officers pay any attention. Labourers come here for earning bread and butter from neighbouring states. They work here and get buried and die under the mines, but the administration is not paying any attention," said Ramesh.

He further said the death toll was expected to rise, as the rescue operation would be relaunched in the morning.

"Till now five bodies have been recovered from the site and the toll is expected to rise as it was a huge stone quarry mine," he added.

The two injured were rushed to a nearby primary hospital and their condition is to be critical.

Sonbhadra area known for its rich cover of stone and minerals is also notorious for illegal mining. (ANI)