GUNTUR: Six quarry workers died when a part of the hillock where they were drilling on crashed onto them at Phirangipuram in Guntur district on Saturday.The workers were using drills when the slope of the hillock which had absorbed moisture following last night’s downpour became loose and came off in a huge chunk.
The bodies have been sent for post mortem examination to Narasraopet hospital. Narasaraopet DSP K Nageswara Rao conducted an inquiry into the incident and took the statement of Gaddam Rambabu -- license holder of the quarry.
Collector Kona Sasidhar ordered that all quarrying activities be stopped in regions near the site of the accident for a few days to allow officials to inspect working conditions. Only after the officials are satisfied with the safety standards maintained will quarrying be allowed again, he said.
“After receiving reports from the officials, we will take a call on the restoration of quarries in the area. Necessary action will be taken against Gaddam Rambabu as per the provisions of law, the collector said.
He pointed out that meeting with mining officials and quarry owners would be organised to review safety measures in force at quarries. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the collector to sanction `5,000 to each of the families of the deceased for funeral expenses in addition to the `5 lakh compensation they will be eligible to receive under the Chandranna Bhima scheme.
YSRC chief Jaganmohan Reddy condoled the deaths of the workers.