Odisha Quarry Disaster: 2 Dead, Many Feared Trapped in Dhenkanal Rockfall; Illegal Blasting Suspected

• Two confirmed dead in a massive rockfall at a stone quarry in Gopalpur village, Dhenkanal district, Odisha; many initially feared trapped.
• The incident occurred during stone excavation; rescue operations are ongoing with ODRAF, fire services, and dog squads deployed.
• Dhenkanal Collector Ashish Ishwar Patil confirmed two bodies recovered; identities being ascertained, one from Balasore.
• Quarry's blasting permit expired in September and lease in December 2025, yet illegal blasting and mining continued.
• Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik expressed condolences, called for investigation and accelerated rescue efforts.

Why It Matters: Deadly rockfall in Odisha quarry exposes illegal mining; two dead, investigation underway.