The Hindu : Front Page : Two workers die as lift snaps at construction site

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Monday, May 12, 2008
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Two workers die as lift snaps at construction site

Staff Reporter

Accident occurred at a luxury apartment under construction

One victim was from Bijapur and the other
from Orissa
Seven persons injured in the incident

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

tragic: One of the injured persons undergoing treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Bangalore on Sunday.

BANGALORE: Two construction workers were killed and seven injured when the lift they were using at a site snapped on Saturday.

The mishap occurred at a multi-storeyed super luxury apartment under construction on Bannerghatta Road here.

According to the police, the nine labourers were among the many who were working in a 21-storeyed building being constructed by Sobha Developers.

These workers had been engaged to fix tiles on the 18th floor of the building. The police have identified the victims as Devamma (25), a native of Muddebihal in Bijapur district, and Devendra (30), a native of Orissa.

The injured labourers have been admitted to Sanjay Gandhi and St. John’s hospitals.

Around 2.30 p.m., after having lunch, the nine workers took the lift from the ground floor to reach the 18th floor.

Just before they could reach the 18th floor, the lift came down with a thud.

One person died on the spot and the other on the way to a hospital.

Seven persons, who suffered multiple injuries, were rushed to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital.

Operated upon

Sharanamma (40), a native of Lingsugur in Raichur district, underwent two operations on her leg and is in the intensive care unit.

The other injured — Mudukamma, Nagamma, Mehabubi, Ashok, Rajesh and Shekar — have been shifted to St. John’s Hospital. The police said the condition of Nagamma was critical.

Relative shocked

Relatives of the injured workers were shocked by the incident.

“We were all working in the same area. It happened just after they had their lunch. All the nine suffered serious injuries,” said 19-year-old Mounish, Sharanamma’s nephew, who works at the same construction site. “All the injured were brought to the hospital around 4.30 p.m.,” he said.

Mr. Mounish expressed difficulty in paying expenses related to his aunt’s treatment.

“They (hospital authorities) insisted that we make the payment before starting treatment. I had to argue with the authorities,” he said. Mr. Mounish said the contractor, who had employed them, was bearing the treatment expenses.

The MICO Layout police have taken up a case of negligence against the contractor. The police have recorded the statements of the injured labourers.

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