Chhattisgarh: 3 labourers dead after soil cave-in during pipeline work in Balod

According to officials, six labourers were working inside a pit nearly seven feet deep when the loose soil suddenly caved in.

Updated on: May 13, 2026, 09:42:22 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Three labourers were killed after being buried under soil while laying a sewer pipeline in Chhattisgarh’s Balod district on Tuesday evening, officials said.

The incident occurred around 6.30pm near Das Paan Thela Chowk in Rajhara town, where work on a Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) sewerage pipeline project was underway.

According to officials, six labourers were working inside a pit nearly seven feet deep when the loose soil suddenly caved in, trapping them under the debris.

Rescue teams managed to pull out three workers alive, while the remaining three died before they could be rescued.

The deceased were identified as Kishun Kumar, Rakesh Kumar and a woman labourer identified as Baishakhin.

Balod superintendent of police Yogesh Patel said the sewer pipeline work was being carried out by a private company and the pit had been dug for laying the pipeline.

“Suddenly, the loose soil caved in and the workers got buried. All three of them were killed,” Patel said.

“The bodies have been sent for post-mortem. A case will be registered against the contractor and further investigation will follow,” he added.

Police, municipal officials and rescue personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and launched a rescue operation. Senior administrative officials also reached the site to supervise the rescue and relief operations.

Officials said the injured workers were rescued safely and provided medical assistance. Family members of the deceased were informed about the incident and later reached the hospital.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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