Sonbhadra (Uttar Pradesh) [India], November 17 : District Magistrate of Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh, Chandra Vijay Singh, on Monday said that five bodies have been recovered so far from the collapsed stone mine in Sonbhadra, while the search for one more body continues.
"So far, we have recovered 5 bodies... There is a possibility of one more body being found; the search for it is ongoing... An FIR has been registered against two people, who are the owners. If any other is found guilty, action will be taken against them as well..." he told ANI.
Rescue operations continued on Monday after the stone mine collapsed on Saturday, leaving several workers feared trapped under massive debris.
Officials confirmed that one body had been recovered earlier, while efforts are still underway to locate others. The incident occurred when a section of the mine caved in, trapping around 15 workers beneath the rubble.
Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for an intensive rescue operation that began soon after the collapse.
Divisional Commissioner Rajesh Prakash said senior officials and specialised teams are monitoring the situation closely.
"NDRF and SDRF teams are deployed. NDRF DIG and Commandant are here too. We are trying to complete the rescue operations as soon as possible. It is not possible to quote any figures at this time," he said.
Somnath, the father of two workers trapped inside, said he was struggling to comprehend the situation.
"Two of my sons are trapped. My three sons had come here to work. One was operating a tractor, the other a compressor, and the youngest son received no information about either two of them. What can I even say? My mind is not working," he said.
Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Zone Varanasi Piyush Mordia also shared an update in a video message.
"On 15th November, in Sonbhadra district, a stone mine collapse incident was reported. Workers are feared trapped here. NDRF, SDRF, CISF, Sonbhadra Police, and Fire Department teams are on the scene to rescue the people. Operation is underway..." he said.
Heavy machinery and specialised personnel are being used to remove debris and widen access to the collapsed area as rapidly as possible.