The children, aged between 2 and 12 years, were killed in their sleep when the dumper, engaged in loading and unloading operations inside the plant, ploughed through them while taking a U-turn last night, Superintendent of Police, Indrajeet Mahatha said.
The vehicle was seized, but the driver fled.
He said how the children, wards of labourers, were allowed inside the crusher plant was being looked into.
Compensation would be given to the families of the victims as per the norms of the government, he said.