The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Two workers die in building crash

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 21, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Two workers die in building crash

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JAN. 20. Death came calling for three labourers while demolishing concrete structures in and around the city on Thursday.

Two workers hired by authorities of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) for demolishing an illegally constructed building died on the spot and two others escaped with minor injuries when the building's slab collapsed on them at Moosarambagh on Thursday.

While locals charged MCH authorities with fleeing the spot after the roof caved in, the Malakpet police booked a case under Section 304-A (causing death by rash and negligent act) of IPC.

Both the dead - Omar (45) and Rama Rao Jadav - and the two injured -- Arjun and Keshav - were native of Maharashtra.

While Omar came to the city five years ago and settled at Miralam Mandi, Rao, Arjun and Keshav came last night in search of work and slept at the Mahatma Gandhi bus station. This morning, they went to Gulzar House near Charminar for work. Being natives of the same place, they knew Omar. They readily agreed to work when MCH authorities hired them for demolishing a building.

Along with Omar and another unidentified worker, the trio reached Moosarambagh around 2 p.m.

Shell-shocked

The contractor built the four-room shopping complex in the open space in front of Suryodaya Apartment opposite to Municipal Park at SBI Officers' Colony. "We never imagined that our search for work would end in death," a shell-shocked Arjun and Keshav said, with tears swelling in their eyes.

The five workers began pulling down the walls. Ten minutes later, the roof collapsed on them, killing Omar and Rao on the spot and injuring Arjun and Keshav. The fifth worker fled the spot.

"In the absence of supporting pillars, the slab caved in while the walls were being demolished," the Malakpet Inspector, B. Kamalakar Reddy, said. He made it clear that none of the MCH employees was available when the police rushed there.

Labourer dies

In another mishap, a labourer, Chandu (26), died on the spot when the concrete beam of an overhead tank he was demolishing fell on him at Narsingi on the city outskirts.

Some locals tried in vain to lift the beam for a few minutes, even as Chandu writhed in pain and cried for help.

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