Rescue teams yet to clear debris, reach trapped duo at Odisha's Bariguda stone quarry

JEYPORE: Even after four days of hectic operation, rescue teams have failed to clear the debris and locate the two trapped workers at Bariguda stone quarry within B Singhpur police limits here.Despite pressing advanced machines to lift boulders from the accident spot, the rescue teams have made a little progress even as the fate of the two trapped labourers remains uncertain.

Sources said personnel of NDRAF, ODRAF and technical teams were unable to remove stones even with heavy machineries on the day. The rescue teams reportedly expressed their inability to clear the debris with the available equipment and sought technical help from outside States.The engineers of Telingiri, Upper Kolab and Indravati projects, who visited the accident site, have also expressed their helplessness to clear the debris with the available manpower and machines.

Sources said Water Resources Secretary Pradeep Jena is likely to visit Bariguda on Tuesday to take stock of the situation and discuss ways to clear the debris.On the other hand, the life detection machines placed near the debris have given negative signs which is why rescue teams fear for survival of the drivers trapped under the boulders.

Ghanshyam Guru and Sanjay Dash, both drivers of JCB machines, were excavating earth on May 31 evening when the hill caved in. Both the drivers were trapped under a heap of boulders along with their machines.

Jeypore Sub-Collector L Dalabehera informed that the rescue teams will continue their operation after further support reaches the mishap site. Meanwhile, the district administration has stopped exploration of stone quarries in Koraput with immediate affect.