Six killed in granite quarry accident in Andhra Pradesh

August 3, 2025

Amaravati: Six workers lost their lives when large boulders fell on them at a granite quarry in Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.

The incident happened at a private quarry near Ballikurava in Bapatla district during regular operations. Around 15-20 workers were present when the quarry’s edge suddenly collapsed. Rescue teams quickly arrived at the scene and initiated efforts to save those trapped.

The deceased are believed to be migrant workers from Odisha. Several others sustained injuries and were taken to different hospitals for treatment. Eight critically injured individuals were admitted to a hospital in Narsaraopeta. The workers had reported for duty at 9 a.m. that morning, and just a few minutes into their work, during blasting, the boulders fell, causing the tragedy.

Senior officials arrived promptly and oversaw the rescue operations. Revenue department personnel assisted the police in efforts to recover the bodies of the victims.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his shock over the incident. He spoke with senior officials, ordering immediate rescue and relief efforts, and directed hospitals to provide the best possible treatment for the injured. The Chief Minister also called for a detailed investigation into the accident and emphasized the need to implement safety measures to prevent future tragedies.

District Collector J. Venkata Murali and Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi alerted local authorities to the situation.

Investigations suggest that a lack of proper safety precautions may have contributed to the incident. Similar accidents have occurred previously in Andhra Pradesh’s granite quarries. For example, on May 16, three people died in a blast at a private granite quarry in Dabbaguda, Srikakulam district, which was believed to be caused by the use of gelatine sticks. The quarry management had reportedly tried to mislead authorities by claiming lightning caused the deaths.