In a tragic incident, 10 women labourers were buried alive when loose soil and boulders fell on them while they were taking rest after working at an agricultural field at Teeleru village of Marikal mandal in Narayanpet district on Wednesday afternoon.
Sources said that 30 women, divided into two groups, were working as part of the land development programme on the village outskirts. After working for some time, they gathered in a corner to take rest. Due to overnight rains, the soil was loose. The loose soil and boulders fell on the unsuspecting victims suddenly.
Ten women were buried alive while another woman, Charlapalli Laxmi, managed to escape with bleeding injuries. Locals, who rushed to the spot immediately, made a vain bid to rescue the buried victims.
They used a JCB to remove the mud and bring out the bodies. As reports last came in, 10 bodies were brought out from the accident spot.
The victims were identified as Chakali Anantamma (65), Galitippa Buddamma (40), Pallegadda Keshamma (50), Marati Mangamma (26), Charlapalli Laxmamma (30), Kummari Laxmi (35), Pallegadda Arunamma (30), Bodi Laxmi (35), Pedda Anuradha (28) and Burramalla Ananthamma (56).
Marikal sub-inspector Janakiram Reddy told The Hindu that around 10.30 a.m., 12 women labourers, under the employment guarantee scheme, went to a corner to take rest when loose soil caved in. “Ten women died on the spot and one was rescued. One labourer escaped without any injuries,” he said, adding that the injured was shifted to Mahabubnagar district hospital.
Overnight rains and loose soil were said to be the preliminary cause of the mishap, the SI said. A case has been registered. The bodies were shifted to Narayanpet area hospital for post-mortem. A pall of gloom descended on the village as news spread.
KCR mourns
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao expressed deep shock and anguish over the incident. “It is an unfortunate incident,” he said. The CM offered his deep condolences on Wednesday.