Migrant worker dies in Pollachi building collapse

The deceased has been identified as Kannan from Odisha. The other injured were also migrant workers from West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. The building, coming up at Jameenpudur, was part of Maharishi Vidya Mandir school.

Even as construction work was going on for the second floor of the building, the roofing suddenly collapsed trapping 15 workers under the debris. On receiving information, Fire and Rescue personnel rushed to the spot and managed to pull out the 15 workers after a few hours of struggle.

All the 15 injured persons were taken to the Pollachi Government Hospital for treatment, but, Kannan succumbed to his injuries. Two persons Naren, 20, and another worker, who suffered head injury was rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.

Building construction engineer Ganesh Kumar fled following the incident. Police said his mobile phone was switched off and a search is under way to nab him.

Inquiries revealed that construction of additional floors was taken up even before giving time for curing of the ground floor roofing. Heavy rains lashing the city also triggered the collapse, police said.