Hyderabad scaffolding incident leads to three deaths, multiple injuries

Three construction workers, including two women, died in a scaffolding collapse in Addagutta of KPHB, Hyderabad. The fatal accident occurred around 9 a.m. on Thursday, when the scaffolding of an under-construction six-story building collapsed, causing the workers to fall 75 feet. Three other workers were critically injured and are currently being treated at Gandhi Hospital. The building was allegedly being constructed in violation of GHMC norms.

The incident occurred as two of the workers were plastering a parapet wall, leading to a load falling on the scaffolding and causing its collapse. As a result, six workers fell from the sixth floor of the building. The deceased were identified as Santhu Bodnayak (23), Soniya Challan (18), and Sonia (19). Both Santhu and Soniya died on the spot due to multiple internal injuries, while Sonia passed away while undergoing treatment at a local hospital.

Eyewitnesses Hooli Kirsani and Sutra Badnayak, also construction workers on the site, were instrumental in rescue efforts. “We were in the basement; we had worked through the night. I heard screams and a thud, and found Santhu and five others stuck in the scaffolding,” Kirsani said. They alerted the police and aided in the rescue of the six fallen workers, two of whom were already dead upon arrival at a nearby private hospital.

KHPB Inspector D. Venkatesh stated that the scaffolding collapse led to multiple internal injuries for two of the victims, who died immediately, while a third succumbed at the hospital. A case has been registered against the building owner under Section 304 (a) of the IPC for death due to negligence. Police are also making efforts to identify the building owner, as the building was allegedly being constructed illegally.

The deceased workers were part of a group of 17 who had migrated from Odisha, seeking work after suffering losses in agriculture. Santhi is survived by his wife and three daughters aged between three and eight years. Following the scaffolding collapse, the police informed GHMC about the incident, and a team of officials is likely to initiate action against the builder for violation of construction norms.