Seven workers killed as rock collapses at quarry at Tavarekere near Bengaluru

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jul 2, 2026: Seven workers were killed and several others injured after a massive rock collapsed on them while they were working at a stone quarry near Madapatna in Bengaluru South district on Wednesday morning, officials said. 

The incident occurred at Kaveri Crusher and is suspected to have been caused by negligence during quarry operations.

According to the police, the incident occurred in the early morning and workers were engaged in quarry work under a large rock formation when a massive boulder being moved from the top of the quarry using a tractor suddenly slipped and crashed onto them. The workers were trapped under the huge rocks, leaving them with no chance to escape. All seven died on the spot. The bodies are yet to be recovered.

Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services’ Magadi and Sunkadakatte fire stations have rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Local residents have also joined the efforts to remove the debris and retrieve the bodies from beneath the boulders.

The deceased are said to be migrant labourers from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka’s Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts who had been employed at the quarry. Their identities are yet to be officially confirmed as the authorities were in the process of informing their families.

The police have summoned the quarry contractor, who had engaged the workers, for questioning. Officials are also verifying whether the quarry had adhered to mandatory safety norms and whether proper precautions were taken before moving the boulders.

Criminal incident, says MLA Somashekhar

Speaking to the media, local MLA S T Somashekhar alleged that the quarry collapse was not merely a case of negligence but a "criminal incident", claiming that officials from the Geology Department and the local police were complicit in allowing the illegal quarry to operate.

He said he had earlier brought the matter to the attention of the Chief Minister and other senior authorities, urging them to stop the illegal quarrying activities, but no action was taken. Stating that he had learnt that eight workers had died and three three were critically injured in the incident, Somashekhar said he would raise the issue seriously with the Chief Minister, who is expected to visit the accident site.