​​​​​Dhenkanal, January 5: The Motanga Police on Monday detained two quarry workers in connection with death of two wagers during illegal blasting.

The accused have been identified as blasting operator Chhabindra Mahakud and one of his associates, of the Gopalpur stone quarry in Dhenkanal district.

The detained ones are being interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation into the fatal explosion. Meanwhile, the police is undertaking manhunts to nab the quarry lease holder who was illegally detonating in the quarry for dolomite mining.

Worth mentioning, two bodies were recovered from the dolomite mines at Gopalpur under Motanga police station in Dhenkanal district following an explosion reported on Saturday evening.

Two fire service teams and personnel from the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were deployed at the site. Suspecting the presence of explosive materials inside the quarry, authorities launched a rescue operation with the assistance of a dog squad from Angul. JCB machines were used to clear debris and search for more victims.