Watch: Five killed, 13 injured as crane collapses in Shankarpally

Five workers died and 13 were injured after a crane collapsed on a shed at a cement unit in Shankarpally. The victims were taking shelter from rain when the mishap occurred. Rescue teams used cutters to free those trapped

Hyderabad: Five workers died and 13 others sustained injuries when a heavy-duty crane collapsed at a cement brick manufacturing unit in Shankarpally on Monday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 3.30 pm while workers were taking shelter in a shed to escape heavy rain and strong winds. The massive crane suddenly toppled onto the structure, killing four people instantly, while a fifth victim succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

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The police and local rescue teams utilised iron cutters to dismantle the crane and reach those trapped beneath the collapsed shed. The bodies of the deceased were moved to Government Hospital Chevella mortuary, while 13 injured survivors were shifted to a nearby hospital.

Chevella DCP Yogesh Gautham and other officials arrived on-site to supervise the operation. “The 13 injured individuals are now out of danger. Bodies of the five victims have been moved to the mortuary. Investigation is going on,” said the official.

An eyewitness recounted the harrowing moment the crane fell. “I noticed the crane tilting and alerted the people in the shed. Two or three people managed to run out just in time, but others were trapped,” he said.

Reports indicate that approximately 20 workers were inside the shed when the crane fell with a deafening sound.

Soon after the incident, ambulances and medical teams rushed to the spot followed by Fire Department and local rescue teams. The rescuers faced difficulty in dismantling the crane and pull out the persons trapped in the shed.

Local people joined the rescue efforts until the police reinforcements from neighbouring police stations reached the spot. The injured were shifted in police vehicles to the nearest private hospital and later to the government hospital.