Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD/DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 2: Two labourers died after a water pipeline burst during underground drainage work near Central railway station, Hampankatta here on Monday November 2.

The deceased have been identified as Raghu from Badami in Bagalkote district, and Babu, also from Bagalkote.

It is learnt that the MCC labourers were working on the Pandeshwar-Wenlock hospital underground drainage system when suddenly a nearby pipeline burst. The gushing water engulfed them and the mud also fell on them, burying them underneath.

There were six other labourers working on the drainage, but they managed to escape unhurt.

Fire service and police personnel rushed to the spot and tried to rescue them, but in vain. Their bodies were retrieved a short while later and shifted to Wenlock hospital.

Mayor Jacintha Alfred, MLA J R Lobo and others visited the spot.

Speaking to reporters, mayor Jacintha said, "Wenlock hospital had several problems with regard to drainage, hence we have undertaken this underground drainage work at a cost of around Rs 25 lac. Almost 75 percent of the work is completed. It is sad that such an incident has happened, and our sympathies are with their families. The MCC officials and contractors need to take proper safety measures to ensure such incidents do not occur. Human life is most important."

Asked whether the bereaved families would be given compensation, she said, "I cannot say right now as they were working on a daily basis and it is the contractor who should be giving the compensation, or the government."