Sand mound collapse kills two in Ahmedabad’s Mandal taluka

Two youths died after a massive mound of sand collapsed on them while they were allegedly filling sand into a tractor in a water channel in the Sher-Rakhiyana village limits of Mandal taluka in Ahmedabad district on Thursday.

According to details, the deceased were identified as Alpesh Thakor and Sahil Thakor, residents of Sher-Rakhiyana village. The duo had gone to a local water channel with a tractor to collect sand when a huge portion of soil and sand suddenly caved in from above and buried them underneath. Both youths reportedly sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot before they could be rescued.

As news of the incident spread, large numbers of villagers rushed to the spot. Locals later pulled out the bodies after extensive efforts and informed the police. A team from Mandal police reached the site, carried out panchnama proceedings and sent the bodies to Viramgam government hospital for postmortem examination before initiating further legal action.

The incident has once again raised questions over the alleged rampant illegal sand mining activities in Viramgam and Mandal regions. Locals alleged that deep excavation in riverbeds and water channels has significantly increased the risk of such cave-ins, while overloaded dumpers and illegal mining operations continue despite repeated complaints.

Residents claimed that despite several fatal incidents in the past and repeated warnings to authorities, no strict action has been taken against the alleged illegal mining network operating in the area.