At least three workers resting inside a makeshift shelter of a shipping container died and one was critically injured after a gantry crane collapsed on it near Panhera Khurd in Faridabad on Thursday, police said.
Police said one of the workers was rescued after cutting the crushed container box while few others are still feared trapped.
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Officials said that the crane was being used to lift concrete blocks and spans for constructing a flyover which is part of a greenfield connectivity route from south Delhi, Gurugram and Faridabad to Jewar International Airport. The construction work was undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Investigators said the incident took place between 1.30 pm and 2 pm. Police received information by 3 pm, and rescue workers were rushed to the spot.
Officials said it had rained heavily in the area, after which the ground became muddy. The crane operation was restarted after the rain stopped; however, it lost balance and collapsed.
{{/usCountry}}Officials said it had rained heavily in the area, after which the ground became muddy. The crane operation was restarted after the rain stopped; however, it lost balance and collapsed.
{{/usCountry}}“We were able to hear the scream of only one worker, who was rescued soon after. No other noise or movement was coming from the box. The survival chances of those trapped are very low,” an officer said.
The works have not been identified by the authorities.
Yashpal Yadav, public relations officer for Faridabad police, said it was unclear how many workers were trapped inside. “According to initial reports, at least five to six workers were resting inside the box during the accident. Rescue workers were able to pull out three bodies from the accident site till 10pm,” he said. “Things will be clear only after the crane, which weighs several tons, is lifted and the box is cut open.”
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An NHAI official, requesting anonymity, said the reason for the collapse was being probed