Many Indians among Dubai bridge collapse victims
Dubai,
Nov
9:
Several
victims
of
the
bridge
collapse
which
claimed
at
least
seven
lives
in
the
Jumeirah
area
here
yesterday
were
Indian
workers
belonging
to
Dubai-based
Wade
Adams
Contracting
Company.
According to the official Wam news agency report, Matar Saeed Al Tayer, Director-General of Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), confirmed that seven workers were killed and 15 injured in the accident that occurred at around 0730hrs (local time).
''None of the dead could be identified immediately, but survivors claimed that most of them probably belonged to Tamil Nadu,'' the media said.
The accident occurred when workers were protesting against the poor working conditions. Workers at the world's tallest building Burj Dubai were also on strike. The accident has now raised questions about the safety of workers at construction sites.
Mr Tayer said the bridge collapsed when a crane operator placed too many steel bars on the bridge's top layer. ''From an engineering point of view, the amount of steel placed was more than the allowed limit. There are certain safety rules that any contractor should adhered to,'' he added.
Group HR Manager of Wade Adams N M Naushad said according to the company's policy the families of each of the deceased will be given an initial compensation equivalent of 120 months' salary, according to the daily.
Concrete and iron debris could be seen strewn across a wide area near the site of the bridge collapse, the first of its kind in the country.
The injured were airlifted to the state run Rashid hospital while the bodies were shifted to police morgue. The police cordoned off the area, blocked the approach roads and diverted traffic.
According to Rashid Hospital sources, of the 15 people admitted, five were in a critical condition.
Muthuraj, one of the survivors, said, 'I was working on the scaffolding along with several others when shockingly it collapsed, killing one of us instantly.' The bridge project began eight months back and was scheduled for completion next year.
UNI