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Seven labourers lost their lives and four others were injured after a mound of soil collapsed at a construction site of a residential project by Signature Global in Gurugram. The incident occurred while workers were carrying out excavation work for a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP). Around 12-15 labourers were trapped when the soil suddenly caved in. Rescue teams from the police, SDRF and NDRF carried out operations and pulled out the workers, who were taken to a hospital in Bhiwadi. Authorities have registered a case, detained project officials and halted construction activity while an inquiry is underway.
Seven labourers were killed and four others were injured after a mound of soil collapsed at a construction site of a residential project developed by Signature Global in Gurugram. The accident took place at the project site located in the Sidhrawali area along the Delhi-Jaipur highway while excavation work for a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) was underway. Advertisement
Officials said workers were digging a deep pit as part of the STP construction when the mound of soil on one side suddenly collapsed. Around 12 to 15 labourers working inside the pit were buried under the soil and debris. Labourers present at the site immediately raised an alarm and informed authorities about the incident.
Teams from the local police station reached the site soon after receiving the information. Rescue operations were launched with support from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Earth-moving machines were used to remove the soil while rescuers searched for trapped workers. The operation continued for several hours before all the labourers were pulled out from the debris.
The rescued workers were taken to a hospital in Bhiwadi in neighbouring Rajasthan. Doctors declared seven of them dead on arrival. Four others were admitted with injuries and remain under medical treatment. Officials indicated that the workers were buried under a large volume of soil and likely died due to suffocation before they could be rescued.
Authorities later identified the deceased labourers as Shivshankar, Parmeshwar Mahto, Mangal Mahto, Bhagirath Gope, Satish, Sanjeev Gope and Dhananjay Mahto. Most of the victims were migrant workers from Jharkhand, while Satish was from Bharatpur in Rajasthan. The injured workers were identified as Indrajit, Chhotelal, Shivkam Chaudhary and Deendayal Sharma. Three of the injured workers are reportedly from Nepal.
Police officials stated that the excavation pit at the site was around 30 feet deep and the soil banks on the sides appeared unstable. Preliminary observations suggested that the loose soil may have collapsed into the pit where labourers were working. Investigators are examining whether proper safety arrangements were in place during the excavation work.
Family members of one of the deceased workers alleged that labourers were working deep inside the pit when the soil suddenly caved in. A relative stated that workers were buried under the debris and could not escape in time. The family has demanded compensation of INR 50 lakh for the deceased worker.
Police have registered a case under sections related to causing death by negligence and acts endangering life. As part of the investigation, two individuals associated with the project, including the project in-charge and the site in-charge, were taken into custody for questioning.
The district administration has also ordered an inquiry into the incident. Officials from the labour department and industrial safety authorities inspected the site to assess working conditions and safety measures. Construction work at the project has been temporarily stopped until the inquiry is completed and safety conditions are reviewed.
Accidents involving excavation pits and soil collapse have been reported at construction sites in several cities in recent years, often raising concerns about safety practices for labourers working in deep trenches or unstable soil conditions. Authorities said the current investigation will determine responsibility for the incident and whether negligence contributed to the collapse.
Source PTI
FAQ
1. What happened at the Signature Global construction site in Gurugram?
Seven labourers died and four others were injured after a mound of soil collapsed at a residential construction project being developed by Signature Global in Gurugram. The accident occurred during excavation work for a Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) at the site.
2. When and where did the incident occur?
The incident took place at a project site in the Sidhrawali area along the Delhi-Jaipur Highway near Gurugram. Workers were digging a deep pit for the STP when the soil on one side suddenly collapsed into the excavation.
3. How many workers were trapped in the collapse?
Officials said around 12-15 labourers were working inside the pit when the soil caved in. Several workers were buried under the debris, leading to seven fatalities and four injuries.
4. Which agencies carried out the rescue operation?
Rescue operations were conducted by teams from the local police along with the State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force. Earth-moving machines were used to remove soil and retrieve the trapped workers.
5. Where were the injured workers taken for treatment?
The rescued workers were taken to a hospital in Bhiwadi. Doctors confirmed that seven workers had died, while the injured labourers are currently receiving medical treatment.
6. Who were the victims involved in the accident?
Authorities identified the deceased labourers as Shivshankar, Parmeshwar Mahto, Mangal Mahto, Bhagirath Gope, Satish, Sanjeev Gope and Dhananjay Mahto. Most of them were migrant workers from Jharkhand, while one worker was from Bharatpur. Some of the injured workers were reportedly from Nepal.
7. What action have authorities taken after the accident?
Police have registered a case under charges related to negligence and endangering life. The project in-charge and site in-charge associated with the construction project have been detained for questioning.
8. Has construction at the site been stopped?
Yes. The district administration has temporarily halted construction activities at the project site while officials from the labour department and safety authorities conduct an inquiry into the incident.
9. What could have caused the soil collapse?
Preliminary observations suggest that the excavation pit, estimated to be about 30 feet deep, had unstable soil banks. Investigators are examining whether proper safety measures, such as trench support and soil stabilisation, were in place during the excavation.
10. What are the next steps in the investigation?
Authorities are reviewing safety protocols, working conditions and site management practices to determine whether negligence contributed to the accident. The findings of the inquiry will decide accountability and possible legal action against those responsible.
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