A tragic accident claimed the lives of two youths and left another critically injured after a large section of earth collapsed on them while they were collecting soil from a hillock in the Chakmaghat Muslim Slum area of Tripura's Khowai district on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at around 7 a.m. when three residents of Kunjamura — James Jamatia (20), Asha Hari Jamatia (30), and Amulya Dhan Jamatia (30) — arrived at the site with a vehicle to gather soil for construction-related work at their homes.

According to police, the trio was excavating soil from the hillock when a massive mound of earth suddenly gave way, trapping all three under the debris.

Local residents who witnessed the accident rushed to the spot and immediately launched rescue efforts. They managed to pull out Amulya Dhan Jamatia, who sustained serious injuries to his legs. He was initially taken to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital before being referred to GB Hospital in Agartala for advanced treatment due to his critical condition.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel were the first official responders to arrive at the scene. They were later joined by members of the TSR 12th Battalion, who assisted in the rescue operation.

After a prolonged search, rescuers recovered James Jamatia and Asha Hari Jamatia from beneath the collapsed earth and transported them to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital. However, doctors declared both dead on arrival.

Police subsequently recovered the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination. An investigation into the incident is underway.