Four labourers die after fall from 85-ft-tall water tank

Four labourers died after they fell from a 85-ft-high water tank at Ashok Nagar, in Lawspet here on Sunday.

According to police, Ezhumalai (27) of Solainagar, Murali (32) of Thattanchavady and Selvam (30) of Muthialpet and another person called Ezhumalai from Anumanthai were engaged in the maintenance work of the overhead tank. They erected an iron scaffolding to carry out the work. After they climbed on to the scaffolding, its support collapsed suddenly and the four fell down. Two of the workers died on the spot and two others succumbed while being taken to the JIPMER hospital. Two more labourers suffered minor injuries.

After the water supplied from the tank, which has a capacity of 20 lakh litres, was found to be unclean, the e-Public Health Division of the PWD stopped supply from September. It had offered the contract work for maintenance and cleaning of the tank to Murali, who had subcontracted it to another person Murugan who, in turn, had engaged six labourers to execute the work. While the work was being carried out, the incident happened. Lawspet police have taken Murugan into custody. The bodies of the labourers have been sent for autopsy.Meanwhile, volunteers of the VCK staged a road blockade demanding relief for the families of the deceased.