Mishap during illegal gemstone mining in Mahanadi in Odisha; labourer gets trapped

A labourer got trapped under a huge boulder allegedly while mining gemstones illegally in the Mahanadi riverbed in Boudh district on Friday. Till the time of filing of this report, a rescue operation was underway.

The mishap occurred on Friday and it is yet to be ascertained whether the labourer is dead or alive. It is alleged that some mafia had engaged around 10 to 12 labourers to excavate precious gemstones from the area.

As per initial reports, a huge boulder fell on one of the labourers during the excavation work. Though other labourers tried to rescue the trapped labourer, he could not be rescued. Later, the Odisha Fire Services Department personnel reached the spot and started an operation which had to be called off following a rise in the water level of the river yesterday evening.

Sources said the rescue operation resumed on Saturday with the help of an excavator machine.

“It is over 24 hours that the body is yet to be retrieved. We do know who had engaged him in the excavation work. No official has reached the spot,” alleged a relative.

No comments were received from the police in connection with the matter.