Bhubaneswar: The bodies of six migrant workers from Odisha, who died in a tragic stone quarry collapse in Andhra Pradesh’s Bapatla district on Sunday, were brought back to the state on Monday.
The deceased include four workers from Ganjam district and two from Gajapati district. Their bodies arrived in Digapahandi in three special ambulances and are being transported to their respective villages: Bangarada and Chasa Nimakhandi in Digapahandi block; Kasei and Bahadaguda in Dharakote block; and Dhepaguda in Mohana block.
“I am in touch with the concerned district collectors and updating the Chief Minister. The bodies have reached Odisha and are being sent to the victims’ hometowns. The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. Additional financial assistance will be provided for funeral rites,” said Commerce & Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena while speaking to reporters.
Around 20 workers were engaged at the privately-run Satyakrishna Granite Quarry near Ballikurava when a portion of the quarry’s edge collapsed, burying several workers under large boulders. Six of the deceased were Odia labourers.
