Six workers were trapped in a 250-feet-deep stone quarry after a huge boulder fell into a quarry pit at Adamithippankulam near Munnirapallam in Tirunelveli district on Saturday night.
Inspector General of Police (South Zone) Asra Garg said the police managed to rescue two workers of Vijay from Nattarkulam and Murugan of Vittilapuram, while rescue operations are on to rescue four others. Hindu,
Fire and rescue service personnel from Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kannaiyakumari districts have been pressed into service.
While a Navy helicopter from Uchipuli arrived at the crash site on Sunday morning, the mine depth of the Venkateswara Crusher Unit was obstructing the operation of the helicopter on the request of the district administration.
Later, the authorities sought the help of professional climbers, who managed to rescue two workers.
According to police sources, three cranes and three trucks were in the pit of the mine when the big boulder fell at around 11.30 pm.
A police officer said the loose soil holding the rock could have washed away in the rain, causing the rock to roll.
Police said efforts were on to break the rock to rescue the trapped workers. Tirunelveli District Collector Vishnu and Superintendent of Police P. Saravanan were supervising the rescue operation at the spot.