Three loading workers lost their lives, and five others sustained injuries when an old building’s concrete slab collapsed in Valiyangadi, a bustling commercial area in Kozhikode, Kerala. The victims were identified as Jabbar, Ashraf, and Basheer. The incident took place at a structure near the beach that previously housed the Passport Office.
Eyewitnesses reported that the collapse occurred while seven workers were taking a break near the shutter after unloading goods into the warehouse. Two workers managed to escape, but the remaining five were trapped under the debris. Local residents and colleagues initiated rescue efforts before the Fire Force arrived at the scene.
During the rescue operation, three workers were extricated from the rubble and rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, they could not be saved. One injured worker had to be rescued by cutting through the concrete, while another remains in critical condition. The collapse also caused damage to parked two-wheelers beneath the fallen slab.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about the safety of aging structures used as warehouses without proper inspections. The Mayor announced plans to seal the building and prohibit entry following the accident. The event has sparked protests from Congress and BJP workers over the alleged negligence of the CPI(M)-controlled Corporation in addressing the building’s deteriorating condition.
