Two labourers were killed and two others injured after a crane collapsed during dismantling work at a construction site in Nagpur on Friday morning, prompting a police investigation into possible mechanical failure, human error and compliance with prescribed safety procedures. The accident occurred at about 10.30 am at a site where work was being undertaken for a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) project.
Zone III Deputy Commissioner of Police Rahul Madne said the deceased had been identified as Vishwanath Kathane, a resident of Bhandara district, and Mukesh Nishad, who was from Uttar Pradesh. The two injured workers, both from Jharkhand, were admitted to Orion Hospital for treatment. The available information did not specify the nature or severity of their injuries.
Police examine circumstances of collapse
An accidental death case has been registered in connection with the incident. Investigators are examining the sequence of events during the dismantling operation and whether the crane failed because of a technical defect or whether the collapse was linked to human error. The probe will also consider whether the contractor and workers at the project had followed the safety requirements applicable to such work.
“The police are examining the circumstances under which the crane collapsed. No CCTV footage is available from the location. The police are looking into this aspect,” DCP Madne said.
The absence of CCTV footage is expected to make the reconstruction of the accident dependent on other material and witness accounts. Police said statements would be recorded from government engineers supervising the work, engineers associated with MHADA and personnel of the construction company. The investigation is being conducted under the supervision of a senior police inspector.
Key details of the accident
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Time of incident | 10.30 am on Friday |
| Nature of work | Crane dismantling at a construction site |
| Fatalities | Vishwanath Kathane and Mukesh Nishad |
| Injured workers | Two workers from Jharkhand |
| Treatment facility | Orion Hospital |
| Police action | Accidental death case registered |
The incident has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by workers engaged in dismantling and construction activity, where the stability of heavy equipment and the order in which work is carried out can become critical factors. In this case, however, police have not yet concluded whether the crane suffered a mechanical fault or whether another factor led to its collapse. The findings will depend on the statements, technical examination and other evidence collected during the inquiry.
- Police are checking for possible mechanical failure and human error.
- The contractor’s compliance with stipulated safety norms is under examination.
- Statements from government, MHADA and construction-company personnel will form part of the probe.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to establish how the dismantling work was planned, who was supervising the operation and whether the equipment and site conditions were adequately assessed before the activity began. The identities of the deceased workers indicate that the workforce had members from outside Nagpur as well as neighbouring and other states, a common feature of large construction projects, but police have not released further details about their employment arrangements.
The deaths at the MHADA-linked site place the focus on accountability at a project involving public housing infrastructure. The police inquiry will determine the circumstances leading to the collapse and whether any lapses in equipment handling, supervision or safety compliance contributed to the fatalities. Until those findings are established, the case remains under investigation.
