Nagpur: A tragic construction-site accident claimed the lives of two labourers and left two others injured after a tower crane suddenly collapsed in the MHADA Colony area near Cotton Market Square on Friday morning. The victims, who had travelled far from their native places to Nagpur in search of livelihood, lost their lives while working to support their families.
Providing details of the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rahul Madne said the accident occurred at around 10.30 am when four labourers, along with a crane operator, were engaged in construction-related work. The tower crane suddenly came crashing down, trapping workers in the mishap and triggering panic at the site.
The deceased have been identified as Vishwanath Katane, a native of Bhandara district, and Mukesh Nishad, who hailed from Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh. Both sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Two other labourers from Jharkhand suffered injuries and were rushed to Orient Hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
DCP Madne said police have initiated an investigation to establish the exact circumstances leading to the collapse. Investigators are examining the positions of the workers at the time of the accident, including the specific section of the crane where they were engaged, to reconstruct the sequence of events.
According to preliminary information, the construction contract has been awarded to Vijay Shirke Company. Police will obtain detailed information from the construction company, supervisory officials and engineers associated with the project to determine whether any negligence or technical lapse contributed to the tragedy.
Madne further stated that mechanical engineers from the concerned department would conduct a technical examination of the collapsed crane. The inspection is expected to help establish whether the accident occurred due to a mechanical failure, structural defect or any other technical reason.
An accidental death report has been registered in connection with the incident, and further investigation is underway, the DCP said.
The tragedy has once again brought the issue of construction-site safety into sharp focus. The two deceased labourers had reportedly travelled away from their homes in search of employment and to provide financial support to their families. Their sudden deaths have plunged their families into grief, while the injured workers continue to battle their injuries.
With the exact cause of the crane collapse yet to be established, the police investigation will be crucial in determining whether adequate safety measures were in place and fixing responsibility, if negligence is established.
