A building collapse on Pasumpon Street in Checkanurani, Madurai on Friday left three dead while four others caught in the rubble were injured. While one person was found dead the same day, two others were found on Sunday.
The incident took place around 5.30 pm on Friday when seven workers were working at the under-construction building. Reports say that the labourers were working on the newly elevated second floor of the proposed residential building. The police have now arrested 43-year-old M Madhavan, the building’s owner, for further enquiry.
While 45-year-old A Kasinathan’s body was found from under the rubble on Friday, two more bodies, that of Kasinathan’s son 21-year-old K Arunkumar and 37-year-old Balamurugan aka Balu, were found on Sunday morning. Kasinathan hailed from the neighbouring Thengalpatti village.
Four other workers rescued from under the debris have been identified as Rajesh, Karthik, Murugan and Muthupandi, all from the surrounding villages. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital.
The sudden collapse caused commotion and unrest in the area on Friday following which Fire and Rescue services along with police and revenue officers rushed to the spot to begin rescue operations.
Based on a complaint filed by Rajesh, Madhavan has been arrested under IPC sections 304 (ii) (culpable homicide not amounting to death) and IPC 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
Madhavan, a resident of Checkanurani, is a mason who undertakes building projects and rents out and sells finished houses.
Speaking to TNM, Usilampatti DSP Raja says, “We are looking into whether Madhavan had plan approval for the two-storeyed building. Sometimes people have permit for just one floor and tend to build more floors illegally. We’ve asked his father to bring it to us. We will know further details on what caused the collapse after investigations.”