Four loading workers killed as sunshade of godown collapses on them in Kozhikode

Four headload workers were killed on the spot when the sunshade of an old godown owned by the Kozhikode City Corporation collapsed on them at Valiyangadi on Monday. The victims were identified as Jabbar, Ashraf, Basheer, and Vinod.

They were taking rest under the 50-metre long sunshade after unloading goods at a nearby shop around 12 noon. Four other workers sustained grievous injuries in the incident.

Though a Fire and Rescue Services squad rushed the victims to a nearby hospital, they succumbed to injuries en route. The building had earlier been used as the passport office in Kozhikode city.

The incident triggered a protest by labourers and they resorted to a flash strike alleging negligence on the part of the Corporation authorities in ensuring the fitness of the building. Goods movement was completely stalled following the strike.

Headload workers and trade union leaders claimed that the authorities had been informed of the poor condition of the building several times, but to no avail. They also complained that the building had developed cracks without proper maintenance.

“The Corporation authorities are answerable for the death of these workers who hail from underprivileged families. It was a narrow escape for the other four workers. The building had been in a state of disrepair for decades,” said P.P. Moideen, a local headload worker and a relative of one of the victims. He said there were many similar buildings which should have been demolished for safety reasons.

Leaders of the Indian National Trade Union Congress and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions said the accident victims were active in the market with various charity programmes and humanitarian activities. 

A Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh leader alleged that the Corporation authorities had permitted new tenants in the unfit building even as there were protests against the poor condition of the facility.

S.K. Aboobacker, Leader of the Opposition in Kozhikode Corporation, said it was a five-decade old building that was opened in 1977. He said there were no instructions to the tenants to vacate the building even after the preparation of a detailed project report for a new building in the area.

Mr. Aboobacker urged the Corporation to take over the treatment expenses of the injured workers. He said there should also be action to sanction a reasonable compensation for the victims’ families.

Following safety concerns, the police restricted entry of people to the accident site. Barricades were also placed to prevent unauthorised access. Senior revenue officials who visited the spot said follow-up action would be initiated after reviewing the preliminary investigation report.

Kozhikode Mayor O. Sadasivan said reports had been sought from various departments regarding the building collapse. He told The Hindu that he would respond to the matter after receiving the reports.