Two people have died, and many more are feared dead after a massive explosion at a stone quarry located near Gopalpur village under Motanga police station limits in the district, triggering panic in the area.

The explosion occurred on Saturday evening while work was underway at the quarry, trapping several labourers under soil and stones. As the quarry is around 40 feet deep, authorities fear more bodies may still be buried inside. The deceased and injured are reportedly labourers from outside the state.

Initial reports suggest that illegal blasting was being carried out at the site. Rescue operations have been ongoing since morning, with personnel from Motanga police, the Odapada tehsildar, and senior administrative officials on the spot.

The exact number of workers trapped under the debris and the cause of the incident are yet to be ascertained. Local fire service teams, along with Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel, dog squads and heavy machinery, have been rushed to the site to carry out rescue operations, a fire service officer said.

Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil and SP Abhinav Sonkar have reached the spot to supervise the rescue operation.

In a post on X, leader ofthe  Opposition Naveen Patnaik said, “I am deeply saddened to learn that workers lost their lives due to a rockfall following an explosion in a stone quarry in Dhenkanal. At this sorrowful time, I convey my deepest condolences to the family members, along with prayers for the eternal peace of the departed souls."

“Let appropriate investigations be conducted into the circumstances under which this incident occurred and the state of the workers’ safety measures, and let the government direct its attention toward immediately expediting rescue operations," he added.