Six workers killed as chimney collapses

Erode, Oct 30 (UNI) Six construction workers were crushed to death when a 75 ft high chimney, they were constructing at a private rice mill at Sivagiri about 35 km from here, collapsed this evening.

Police said the victims were engaged in the construction of the chimney at Venkateswara Rice Mill, for the last five days, despite intermittent rains, when the mishap occured at about 1715 hrs.

Due to dampness, the chimney, constructed with bricks collapsed suddenly, catching the construction workers unawares, police said.

Eye witnesses said there were only six people at the construction site at the time of the mishap and all of them died on the spot.

They were identified as Rathinasapabathy (45), Sundaram (43), Pichaimuthu (40), Mani (40), Shanmugasundaram (37) and Nataraj (47).

All the victims were hailing from the local area.

Erode Divisional Fire Officer Karunanidhi and Kodumudi Divisional Fire Officer K V Raju were supervising the clearing of debris.

Though eyewitnesses said there were only six people at the site at the time of the mishap, the fire service personnel were clearing the debris for survivors, if any.

UNI