Hyderabad: Two workers killed in wall collapse

Hyderabad: Two construction workers who were working at a site in Mehdipatnam were killed when the compound wall of a neighbouring apartment complex caved in. The wall made of granite on the first floor, fell on the workers who were working on the ground floor. The bodies were retrieved and sent for autopsy. Police is investigating.

The builder, Shakeel, started construction of the building located behind Chennai Shopping Mall in Mehdipatnam a few months ago. On Wednesday, he called two workers, Krishna, 38, and Nagesh, 32, from the labour point in Bhojagutta to clear centring rods and other material from the site. While they were at work the compound wall of the apartment complex fell on them. As the wall was made of granite the two were crushed under the stones.

Eyewitnesses said they heard a loud noise like an explosion and rushed to the building. “When I reached there the wall had already collapsed and I could only hear voices crying for help,” Shiva, an eyewitness said. Shiva alerted others and they removed the granites but the two were already dead.

Police said that the accident had occurred as the builder of the under construction building did not take safety measures.

“The ground floor of the new building and the compound wall on the first floor of the neighbouring building are at same height. There were no safety measures and workers were also not aware of the situation as it was their first day,” Asifnagar SI B. Kumara Swamy said. 

Although neighbours said Shakeel was the builder and was associated with a political party, police said they have not identified the builder and were checking if he had permission from the GHMC for construction. 

Based on a complaint from the families of the victims an accidental death case was registered against the builder.

Relative stage dharna with bodies, demand action

Tension gripped the accident site when relatives of the dead workers staged a protest with the bodies. They demanded compensation and action against the builder. The relatives agreed to send the bodies for autopsy after police assured them of action against the builder.

Krishna, hailing from Mahbubnagar and Nagesh from Sholapur were labourers. When the builder contacted Krishna’s uncle Sailu, he arranged Krishna and Nagesh to work for a day. Sailu said he dropped them at the site and left around 9 am, but got news of their death in less than two hours. “The incident occurred due to the builder’s negligence. Both families lost bread earners. Who will take care of their children now?,” Sailu said. Krishna and Nagesh are survived by their wives and two kids each.