Three killed and three injured after crane collapses at Tirupati site

Three workers were killed and three others injured when a crane collapsed at a construction site in Tirupati on Tuesday, September 29, according to The Hindu. The accident occurred on DBR Hospital Road as a heavy crane was being used to excavate earth from a deep pit. The machine tilted and overturned into the excavation, trapping or striking workers at the site.

The three people who died at the scene were identified as Rama Rao, 45, from Odisha; site engineer Sandeep Kumar, 40, from Srikakulam; and watchman Gangaiah, 40. Crane operators Shaik Farhan and Naushad, both from Bihar, and worker Murugaiah from Yerpedu sustained serious injuries. They were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The supplied report did not provide further information about their condition. Tirupati Municipal Corporation Commissioner M. Jayakrishna went to the site and directed rescue and relief teams to remove the crane from the deep pit.

He said the contractor had obtained permission for the building, but officials would examine whether construction norms had been followed. Jayakrishna said a case of criminal negligence would be registered against the builder. The announcement indicates that officials will investigate the circumstances surrounding the collapse and assess compliance with applicable requirements.

The local YSR Congress Party unit separately demanded an explanation for the demolition of a compound wall belonging to the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Municipal Corporation High School, which borders the construction site. The party said the wall appeared to have been removed to allow heavy vehicles to enter the premises. The report did not state whether the wall’s removal had been authorised or whether it was directly connected to the crane collapse.

The deaths and injuries prompted an immediate municipal response at the site, while questions over construction compliance and access arrangements remained subject to official examination.