Two workers killed as earth caves in at under-construction hospital site in Mohali

Two workers were killed and another injured after a large mass of earth caved in near an under-construction hospital building in Mohali's Aerocity on Thursday evening, prompting a major rescue operation at the site. The workers were reportedly engaged in construction activity below ground level when loosened earth suddenly collapsed on them. Those rescued from the debris were rushed to hospital, where two of the victims succumbed to their injuries.

Police and other emergency teams reached the site soon after receiving information about the incident. An earthmover was pressed into service and scores of workers joined efforts to clear the debris as rescuers checked whether anyone else remained trapped.

Deep excavation under scrutiny

Local residents said extensive excavation had been carried out around the hospital project, with the construction site going approximately 50 to 60 feet below ground level in some places.

According to eyewitness accounts, the surrounding soil had become loose following the excavation. A large mound of earth reportedly gave way from a height of about 50 feet and fell on workers operating below.

Parts of the affected area had been covered with plastic sheets. The precise cause of the collapse, however, will have to be established through an official investigation.

The incident has raised questions over whether adequate measures had been taken to stabilise the soil surrounding such a deep excavation and protect workers operating at the bottom of the site.

Locals claim warnings were ignored

Some people living or working near the construction site alleged that concerns about the condition of the excavated area had been raised repeatedly over the past month.

They claimed warnings had been given to people associated with the project about the possibility of the loosened earth giving way but alleged that adequate corrective measures were not taken.

There was no immediate official confirmation of these allegations. Police and civic authorities are expected to examine whether safety requirements were being followed and whether the excavation had adequate retaining and protective arrangements.

The construction site is associated with Dr Manuj Wadhwa, a Mohali-based orthopaedic and joint replacement surgeon.

Rescue teams search debris

Emergency personnel continued clearing the collapsed earth after the workers were pulled out, with the operation aimed at ensuring that no other labourers had been buried.

Senior police officials reached the location and supervised the rescue effort. Heavy machinery was used to remove soil while workers manually searched sections of the affected area.

Authorities had not immediately provided details about the identities of the deceased workers or the condition of the injured person.

The accident occurred in Aerocity, one of Mohali's rapidly developing areas near Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, where extensive residential, commercial and institutional construction has been taking place.

Safety measures likely to face probe

The deaths are expected to bring construction-site safety measures at the project under scrutiny, particularly the precautions adopted during deep excavation.

Deep construction pits generally require measures to prevent surrounding soil from collapsing, especially when workers are deployed below ground level. Investigators are likely to examine the site's retaining arrangements, excavation practices and other safety precautions before determining responsibility.

Police are expected to record statements from workers, eyewitnesses and people associated with the project as part of the investigation.

The immediate priority on Thursday night remained the rescue operation and confirmation that nobody else was trapped beneath the collapsed earth.