‘We learnt from co-workers, not authorities’: Family of Chhattisgarh man killed in Bengaluru quarry collapse

PENDRA (Chhattisgarh): Dharmesh Singh, who was a resident of Chhattisgarh’s Pendra, was among eight victims who died in the rock collapse incident in Bengaluru’s Madapatna stone quarry. He had been working as a blast machine operator for the past five years.

The father of Dharmesh, Lal Singh, said that he didn’t receive any call from the authorities about the incident and was informed by his son’s co-workers. “My son used to operate blasting machine and had been working there for five years. He came here in March for Holi this year… He used to send money home… We did not receive any call from any authority, only his co-workers informed me”, he said.

Another relative of Dharmesh demanded detailed investigation of the matter along with equal compensation. She stated that the family wants the body of their son to be brought back to Pendra.

#WATCH | Pendra, Chhattisgarh | Visuals from the residence of Dharmesh Singh in Pendra, one of the 8 workers who died in the incident of rock collapse at a stone quarry in Madapatna, Bengaluru

Father Lal Singh says, “My son used to operate blasting machine and had been working… pic.twitter.com/WJaOWucGpL

— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2026

“The family demands that the child’s body be brought back and compensation be paid. They are also calling for a meticulous investigation into how the accident occurred. Ultimately, the company must provide them with fair and adequate financial compensation for their loss; this is our exact demand,” said the relative.

The quarry accident at Madapatna occurred on Thursday morning when boulders collapsed, killing seven workers and injuring several others. The bodies have been kept at RR Hospital for post-mortem, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same facility. The victims were all daily-wage labourers who were trapped under the fallen boulder and died on the spot at the stone crusher site.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Thursday said that around eight people appeared to have lost their lives in the stone quarry collapse at Madapattana in Bengaluru South Taluk, adding that officials from the Mines and Geology Department and the Home Department were at the spot assessing the situation.

“The Mines and Geology Department and the Department of Home Personnel are at the spot. A total of around eight people appear to have lost their lives in this accident, most of whom are from other states, while one person is from our state. We are awaiting the detailed reports. The Mines and Geology Department is evaluating the situation as we speak,” Priyank Kharge said. (ANI)