KOZHIKODE: Two Tamil Nadu natives died and three others were injured when a heavy concrete slab fell on them at a construction site here on Sunday. The deceased Karthik G, 22, and Saleem Muhammed, 23, hailed from Pudukkottai and Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu respectively. The other wounded workers are also Tamilians.
“Usually, 35 to 40 labourers work at the site everyday. But as it was a Sunday, only eight were on duty when the incident took place. A worker who escaped unhurt said the heavy precast concrete slab was being shifted by a crane when it fell over Saleem, the quality controller, and three erectors including Karthik and the foremen,” said Bennylalu M L, Station House Officer (SHO), Medical College Hospital police station.
Tirupur-based Teemage Builders Pvt Ltd was carrying out the construction for a business group. “The police are checking to see if the construction firm was following the necessary safety standards,” Bennylalu said. Ganesh M, Thankaraj C and Jeevanandam V are the workers who were injured. Two of them are in critical condition.
Though the police and the fire and rescue personnel had rushed to the spot and initiated rescue operations immediately, they were unable to save the lives of Karthik and Saleem. Their bodies were taken out after breaking the slabs. Two units of fire and rescue personnel -- one from Beach station and the other from Vellimadukunnu -- led the rescue operation. Kozhikode City DCP Swapnil Mahajan said the police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Kozhikode mayor and Pottammal division councillor Beena Philip said the corporation has issued a stop memo to the building owners. “We are also conducting an investigation. Our engineers have checked the construction site. Their report is expected by Wednesday. We haven’t received any complaints from the site so far. However, we need to confirm the reason for the mishap,” Beena said.