13 killed in Pune wall collapse
Thirteen labourers were killed and one grievously injured when a dome, being installed on the top of an under-construction building came crashing down in the outskirts of Pune city. The building was new wing of an Ayurvedic college that was being constructed. The police is, however, yet to register a case against anyone.
The incident took place at BSDT College located at Kesanand Phata in Wagholi in the outskirts of Pune city. Between 2.15 to 2.30 pm on Tuesday, the dome, which was being placed on top of the under-construction Panchakarma Centre came crashing down through a duct on the ground floor, crushing all the labourers below. Police sources and fire brigade officials said that fixing domes, which is a trend amongst most construction projects needs special screws and extra supervision, which seems to have been overlooked in this case.
“The dome collapsed from the duct and fell on the ground floor where the labourers were working. We are of the opinion that some of the screws and fittings might have been loosely fixed,” said a fire brigade official present during the rescue operations. All the casualties are men.
Rescuers first recovered five bodies in the first half an hour. Six more were recovered, crushed under the rubble by late evening. Five labourers, Kalyan (40), Tulsiram (45), Rajesh and Nilesh, both 18-year-olds have been identified.
Superintendent of Pune rural police, Manojkumar Lohia said, “Thirteen people died while one is seriously injured. No case of negligence has yet been filed. Investigations are underway and we will decide the future course of action after establishing all the facts of the case,” he said.
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