Four buried alive in multiplex wall collapse

 Tags: VISAKHAPATNAM, multiplex

VISAKHAPATNAM: Four persons including two women were buried alive when a huge block of supporting wall collapsed at the work place near Jagadamba junction around 4.30 pm on Sunday. The victims were laying foundation for a multiplex which was coming up in place of the demolished Chitralaya theatre. The victims were working about 30 ft below the ground level.

The deceased were identified as Dharmavarapu Suryanrayana (20), Rayithi Mahandata (23), Rayithi Chinna Yerramma (21) and K.Laxamamma (40). While Suryanarayana was a native of Nagarapalem village, the other three were natives of Jeedipalem village, all in Ranasthalam mandal of Srikakulam district.

Mohan Datha and Yerramma were recently married. In all, seven persons were working at the spot of the tragedy. While one L. Durga escaped narrowly, two women workers, who came up to ground level for drinking water, had a providential escape. These three were in a state of shock.

Only one body was retrieved by 8 p.m. and scores of personnel from police and fire departments were engaged in retrieving the remaining three bodies. Flood lights were arranged to continue retrieval work. Because of the congestion, only one earth removing machine could be deployed to remove the huge quantity of debris.

According to city chief planner, Raghu, the soil at the work spot was loose and proper precautionary measures could have prevented the tragedy. Commissioner of Police N. Sambasiva Rao, Commissioner of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation B. Sreedhar, MLA Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao and others visited the spot.