Safety belt snaps, 2 workers fall 37 floors to death at project site

Noida: Two workers died after falling from the 37th floor of an under-construction residential tower in Greater Noida on Thursday when the safety belts strapped to them allegedly failed after the shuttering platform they were working on gave way.

The accident at ATS Picturesque Reprieve in Sector 152 has prompted a police probe into possible safety lapses at the site. A case of causing death by negligence has been registered against the builder.

Raisul Haque (24) and Abdul Samad (45), both from West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, were removing shuttering at the under-construction tower when the accident occurred around 12.45pm.

According to police, the two men were working on Tower 23. “The accident occurred when the shuttering platform suddenly gave way. Although both men were secured with individual safety belts, they snapped during the fall, causing them to plunge from a considerable height,” a police officer said.

The workers suffered grievous injuries to their heads. Colleagues and project staff rushed to rescue them and took them to a nearby hospital, but both died during treatment.

The incident triggered panic across the construction site. A team from Knowledge Park police station reached the spot soon after receiving information, inspected the site and initiated legal proceedings. The bodies were sent for an autopsy, while family members were informed.

While preliminary findings pointed to a possible failure of safety equipment, police said they are examining whether all mandatory workplace measures and construction protocols were being followed at the site.

The role of the contractor, site supervisors and project management in ensuring worker safety is also under scrutiny.

A senior police officer said that a case has been registered against the builder under Section 106 of the BNS for causing death by negligence following a complaint filed by a relative of one of the workers.

Officials said the inquiry will focus on the circumstances leading to the collapse of the platform, the condition of safety equipment and compliance with labour and workplace safety regulations.

In a statement, the developer expressed grief over the deaths and said both workers had been deployed through a labour contractor.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic accident that resulted in the loss of two precious lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” the company said.

The developer said compensation would be provided to the families in addition to statutory insurance benefits and workmen’s compensation. It also maintained that safety protocols and industry practices had been followed at its project sites.

“We have initiated a comprehensive internal inquiry to determine the exact cause of the accident and are cooperating fully with the local authorities,” the statement said.

“Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry into what turned a routine assignment high above the ground into a fatal fall,” an officer said.