Two young men lost their lives and two others were injured after the soil of a deep pit collapsed while they were working to connect a well with a tube well in Rajasthan’s Pali district on Tuesday, police said.
The incident occurred around 11 am at Bawariyon ki Dhani, located along the Chandawal–Keriya Bera road under the Chandawal police station limits. Four people were trapped when the sides of the pit suddenly gave way.
Victims identified, injured under treatment
Sojat City Circle Officer Ratanaram Dewasi said Mahendra Kumar (34) and Laxman (26) died at the site. Their bodies have been kept at the mortuary of Sojat City Hospital for post-mortem examination.
The two injured men — Jawrilal (26) and Manohar (42) — were rescued alive by locals and emergency teams. They were rushed to Sojat Hospital, where doctors said their condition is stable and under observation.
Work underway to boost water supply
Police said the pit had been dug to link an open well with a tube well situated around 300 feet apart. The project aimed to increase the water level in the well amid local water shortages.
The pit was approximately 40 feet long and nearly 20 feet deep. All four men were inside the excavation when the soil collapsed suddenly, trapping them under debris before the pipeline connection could be completed.
Safety concerns raised
The incident has raised concerns over safety measures during manual excavation work in rural areas. Officials said an inquiry has been initiated to determine whether adequate precautions were taken at the site.
Local authorities have urged residents to follow safety guidelines and seek technical supervision during deep digging activities to prevent similar tragedies