1 killed, 4 injured as building collapses while being lifted with hydraulic jacks in Vizag

Visakhapatnam: One worker was killed, four others sustained injuries when a single-storey building being lifted with hydraulic jacks caved in at Vikasnagar under New Port police station limits in Visakhapatnam city on Sunday.The owner of the structure hired a contractor to raise the building's height without dismantling walls or ceiling. The contractor engaged eight to ten labourers for the job. While the unskilled workers operated the jacks, the structure collapsed on Sunday evening, causing panic among locals and prompting immediate rescue efforts.Police, revenue, and rescue teams rushed to the spot to clear debris and ascertain the exact number of victims, as locals claimed two to three workers were trapped. The deceased worker's identity is yet to be established since the labourers came from different parts of Gajuwaka. The injured were shifted to a private hospital for treatment.Police and revenue officials are assessing the situation and probing reasons for the collapse. They said if negligence is found on the part of the house owner or contractor, appropriate action will follow.The police suspect the lifting of the building took place without the inspection of the engineer leading to the collapse of the structure. Fortunately, some workers managed to escape from the death in the incident. The deceased person was around 35 year old and the condition of the injured persons is said to be stable.