A routine workday turned into a tragedy at a stone quarry in Belagavi district on Wednesday, as two laborers lost their lives after coming into contact with a high-tension power line. The incident occurred in the village of Bastwad, sending shockwaves through the local mining community.
Details of the Fatal Accident
The victims have been identified as 30-year-old Arjun Lamani and 28-year-old Somu Rathod. Preliminary reports from local law enforcement indicate that the two men were engaged in daily operations at the quarry when the accident took place. Witnesses suggest that a piece of equipment or a metal rod being handled by the workers may have accidentally touched an overhead high-tension electrical wire, causing immediate electrocution.
Emergency services were called to the scene immediately, but both individuals were pronounced dead upon arrival. The intensity of the electrical surge left no room for life-saving interventions. Authorities have since transported the bodies to a local government hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Investigation and Safety Concerns
The Belagavi police have registered a formal case regarding the incident and have cordoned off the area to conduct a thorough investigation. Investigators are looking into whether the quarry was operating with the necessary safety clearances and if the proximity of high-tension wires to the work zone constituted a violation of labor safety protocols.
Mining and quarrying operations in the region have frequently come under scrutiny for safety lapses. Local labor advocates have raised concerns that many sites lack the required overhead protection and safety training for workers operating near hazardous electrical infrastructure. “This is a preventable tragedy that highlights the precarious conditions many quarry workers face,” stated a local community leader.
Legal Repercussions and Oversight
The police are currently questioning the quarry owner and site supervisors to determine if negligence played a role in the deaths. Under Indian labor laws, employers are required to provide a safe working environment, especially in high-risk sectors like stone crushing and mining. Depending on the findings of the investigation, the operators could face charges of causing death by negligence.
Officials from the electricity department (HESCOM) are also expected to visit the site to evaluate the height and insulation of the power lines in the vicinity. For now, work at the Bastwad quarry has been suspended pending a full safety audit.
