Lorry driver critically injured as boulders collapse at Kerala quarry

A lorry driver was left critically injured on Tuesday after a sudden boulder collapse at a quarry in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala's capital region. The driver was operating his truck within the quarry premises when the rockfall occurred, pinning the vehicle beneath substantial stone debris. Emergency services responded to the scene and transported the injured driver to a nearby medical facility for treatment of severe injuries sustained in the accident.

The exact circumstances leading to the boulder collapse remain under investigation. Initial reports suggest that inadequate safety measures or structural instability at the quarry site may have contributed to the incident. Local authorities have begun documenting the scene and questioning quarry operators regarding safety protocols and maintenance procedures.

The accident underscores ongoing concerns about occupational hazards in Kerala's mining and quarrying sector. Worker safety violations and insufficient protective infrastructure have been recurring issues at such sites across the state. District officials indicated that a formal inquiry would be conducted to determine liability and identify any regulatory lapses.

Quarry operators are required by law to maintain safe working conditions and implement comprehensive safety standards to protect workers and equipment. The incident is likely to trigger renewed scrutiny of quarry operations in the Thiruvananthapuram district and potential enforcement actions against non-compliant sites.