Death toll rises to 4 in Chekkanurani building collapse

The construction worker, Muthupandi (32), who was undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit, died at around 7 am on Monday, sources said. Muthupandi, got trapped in the debris after the collapse and was brought to the hospital in a critical condition almost six hours after the incident occurred. The victim was provided surgical treatment after his left leg was amputated and his right leg was also deeply hurt above the knee portion, sources said.

Seven persons were involved in the construction work of a building in Chekkanurani, when the two-storey structure caved in, on Friday night. Though three persons managed to escape with minor injuries after hearing a crack sound, four others were in a critical condition and all the seven members were rushed to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital.

Those who died on Friday night were identified as A Kasinathan (45) of Seelaikariamman Kovil Street, Thengalpatti, Chekkanurani, N Arun Kumar (21) of the same locality and P Balamurugan (45) of Ayyampatti, Kokkulam near Thirumangalam, sources said.

The condition of other injured victims is stable and are gradually recovering, sources said. The three members were identified as Karthik (28), with scalp avulsion injury, Rajesh (30), who suffered left fibula fracture, and Murugan (36), who got his left foot lacerated.

According to the sources, the construction work had been carried out illegally as the building owner failed to obtain permission from authorities concerned. Madurai Collector RS Rajasekar after inspecting the spot along with officials from Department of Revenue and Police, ordered for the demolition of the two-storey building. The building owner M Madhavan has also been arrested following the incident, sources said.