SIVAGANGA: Five workers were crushed to death and one more was critically injured after a suspected controlled explosion triggered a rockslide at a stone quarry at Mallakottai near Singampunari in Sivaganga on Tuesday.

The victims were working at a depth of 400 feet when tragedy struck them. According to SS Kottai police, the deceased were identified as M Muruganandham (49) of Odaipatti, M Arumugam (53) of E Malampatti, M Andisamy (50) of E Malampatti, C Ganeshan (49) of Kulicheevalpatti, and B Harshith (28) of Odisha. The sixth worker, M Maichael (47) of Ettaiyapuram, who was rescued with critical injuries, is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Madurai. Investigation is still on to ascertain the reason for the rockslide.

It is still not clear whether loosening of soil due to recent rain, existing crack in the rocks, or a blast triggered the rockfall, said Sivaganga Superintendent of Police P Ashish Rawat. Several more labourers were working at the site at the time of the accident at Meha Blue Metal Quarry owned by Megavarman. Immediately after the rockslide, fire and rescue services personnel rushed to spot.

While the bodies of Muruganandham, Arumugam, Andisamy and Ganeshan were pulled out from under the debris, Maichael was rescued alive and is undergoing treatment. Harshith’s body is still stuck under the rocks.

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