Nagpur Horror: 2 Dead, 2 Injured as Crane Collapses at MHADA Site
A tragic crane collapse at a MHADA construction site in Nagpur left two workers dead and two injured. Police are investigating safety lapses.
A routine dismantling process turned into a nightmare on Friday morning in Nagpur, Maharashtra, when a massive crane collapsed at an under-construction building site, claiming two lives and leaving two others fighting for survival. The incident occurred at a project being developed by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).
Tragedy Strikes During Dismantling
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madne, the accident took place around 10:30 AM. At the time, a team consisting of a crane operator and three labourers were engaged in the process of dismantling the machinery. During this operation, the crane suddenly gave way, crashing down and trapping the workers.
The impact was devastating. One individual died instantly at the scene, while a second fatality was recorded shortly after. Two other workers sustained injuries and were rushed to Orion Hospital, where they are currently undergoing medical treatment.
The Victims Identified
The police have identified the two deceased workers as:
- Vishwanath Kathane, a resident of the Bhandara district.
- Mukesh Nishad, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh.
The two injured labourers, who are currently hospitalized, have been identified as residents of Jharkhand.
Police Investigation: Error or Failure?
The local police have registered a case of 'Accidental Death' (AD) and have initiated a thorough probe into the circumstances leading up to the collapse. A Senior Police Inspector (PI) is leading the investigation to determine the exact cause of the disaster.
Deputy Commissioner Rahul Madne emphasized that the authorities are focusing on two primary possibilities: mechanical failure of the equipment or human error during the dismantling process.
Questions Over Safety Protocols
The construction work at the MHADA site was being executed by a contractor associated with the 'Vijay Company.' The police are now scrutinizing whether the mandatory safety protocols were ignored or bypassed.
To get to the bottom of the negligence, investigators are gathering data and statements from several key parties, including:
- Government supervising engineers.
- MHADA engineers.
- Supervising engineers from the construction company.
Adding to the complexity of the investigation is the revelation that there was no CCTV footage available at the site to provide a visual record of the accident. Police are currently investigating why surveillance was missing and how the operation was being monitored.