JOIN USTwo workers were buried alive and nine others sustained grievous injuries when an under-construction arch collapsed on them at Bada village of Shiggaon taluk in Haveri district, on Friday.
The dead are Basavaraj Neeli, 26 of Koppal and Salim, 23 of Hubli. The arch was being built by the Kaginele Development Authority.
The nine injured workers include Kanthesha Murtheppa Yaligara, 22, Anjaneya Bandivaddara, 20, Nagaraj Ramanna Saikoppa, 22, Bagalakoti Basavaraj Sankappa Thotada, 35 and Gudageriya Fakkiragowda Jeevanagowda Koppada, 35.
The five injured workers have been shifted to KIMS Hospital in Hubli while the other four received treatment at the taluk hospital, said sources.
Eleven men at site
The 35-40-ft-high arch is being built by the Authority at the Bada village, the birthplace of saint-poet Kanakadasa. The arch came crashing down when concrete was being laid on its top.
Eleven men were at the site when the accident occurred at around 5 pm. As the news spread, fire personnel from Shiggaon rushed to the spot and rescued workers buried under the debris with the help of an earthmover.
The rescue team had a tough time due to lack of sunlight. However, the rescue operation was conducted with the help of torch lights.