Two Workers Killed, Three Injured in Hyderabad Scaffolding Collapse at Unauthorized Building
A tragic construction accident in Hyderabad's Tolichowki area on Thursday afternoon has claimed the lives of two workers and left three others injured. The incident occurred when a makeshift bamboo scaffolding collapsed at an under-construction six-floor building, sending workers plummeting from the fifth floor to the ground below.
Details of the Fatal Incident
The collapse happened around 3:30 pm near Al Hasnath Colony when a bamboo railing, which was tied to a cement parapet on the fifth floor, gave way under the weight of workers sitting on it. Police investigations revealed that four labourers lost their balance when the poorly secured structure collapsed, causing them to crash to the ground along with a portion of the railing.
The deceased workers have been identified as Adi Narayana (47) and Tirupathi Rao (31), both natives of Srikakulam district in Andhra Pradesh. Two other workers sustained serious injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital. The injured include M Ramesh (34), a native of Odisha, and R Ramesh (29) from Srikakulam.
Unauthorized Construction and Safety Violations
D Jagan, deputy commissioner of Golconda circle, confirmed to reporters that the building had permission to construct only three floors, yet three additional floors were reportedly built in clear violation of the approved plan. This unauthorized construction appears to have contributed significantly to the safety lapses that led to the accident.
According to Asif Nagar ACP B. Kishan Kumar, preliminary findings suggest the scaffolding was weak or improperly secured. "The bamboo railing appears to have collapsed due to excess weight and possibly improper construction or wet plastering work," he stated during the investigation.
Additional Damage and Injuries
The falling debris caused significant damage at ground level, striking an autorickshaw and a car parked near the building. Lal Ahmed (50), an auto driver who was sitting inside his parked vehicle, was injured when debris hit the cabin. He received treatment at a hospital and was later discharged. Another parked auto and a passing car were also damaged, though the car's occupant escaped unhurt.
Background of Workers and Construction Site
Police confirmed that all the labourers involved were migrant workers living in Gudimalkapur, Mehdipatnam, who had been working at the site for over a year. Investigators identified the building owner as Suleiman, who had handed the site over to a construction company for development. Authorities are currently questioning the site supervisor, identified as Nasar.
Eyewitness Accounts and Official Response
Eyewitnesses described the incident as sudden and shocking. Rizwan, a local resident, recounted that the workers were sitting on the scaffolding when the structure suddenly gave way with a loud noise. "Within seconds, they fell along with debris from the building," he said.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials have confirmed the construction violations. Authorities had noticed the deviations in November last year and served a notice in December directing the demolition of the unauthorized floors. While major construction had reportedly stopped, plastering work continued, during which the fatal accident occurred.
GHMC is now verifying all building permissions and related records. Police have stated that action will be taken against those responsible for both the unauthorized construction and the safety lapses that led to this preventable tragedy.
