A tense rescue operation in Odisha’s Nayagarh district ended successfully after emergency personnel saved a 14-year-old boy who had been trapped inside a narrow stone crevice for several hours while collecting honey in a forest area.
Boy gets stuck while collecting honey
The incident took place in the Kanipada forest when Shiba Pradhan, a resident of Kanipada village, ventured into the jungle to gather honey, a common activity among locals for livelihood and household use. During the process, the teenager slipped between large rocks, and his head became tightly wedged inside a deep stone groove.
Unable to move or free himself, the boy remained trapped for more than five hours until nearby residents noticed the situation and informed authorities.
High-risk rescue operation begins
Soon after receiving the alert, fire service and emergency response teams from Odagaon and Nayagarh rushed to the dense forest terrain. The operation proved extremely challenging due to unstable boulders, uneven ground, and fears of further rockslides.
Rescuers also faced additional risks, including the possibility of poisonous snakes and limited access inside the forest. Despite the dangerous conditions, teams carefully planned each step to avoid causing injury to the trapped child.
“It was extremely challenging. There was a constant fear of falling stones,” a fire officer involved in the mission said.
Advanced equipment used to lift heavy rocks
To safely release the boy, rescue personnel deployed hydraulic jack systems and specialised machinery to slowly lift the massive rocks pressing around him. Authorities simultaneously established a control room in Nayagarh to coordinate the rescue efforts and monitor progress in real time.
Throughout the operation, rescuers continued speaking to Shiba to keep him calm and conscious, ensuring he did not panic while trapped in the confined space.
After nearly seven hours of continuous effort, the teams successfully pulled the teenager out unharmed.
Chief minister praises rescue teams
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi later shared details of the operation on social media, praising the courage and professionalism displayed by the fire and emergency services.
He commended the personnel for their “indomitable courage and professional expertise,” noting that the teams had rescued the boy from a “helpless condition” despite serious risks.
The dramatic rescue quickly drew appreciation online, with many people applauding the patience, coordination, and dedication shown by the firefighters and emergency responders. Social media users described the operation as a powerful example of swift disaster response and teamwork under pressure.
