Four migrant workers die in Kerala's Kochi as land caves in

Kochi: Four migrant workers hailing from West Bengal died after a landslide at a construction site in Kalamassery in Kochi on Friday, police said adding a search operation had been launched for another worker who is missing.

As per reports, the incident happened when a group of 10 workers were digging a pit to build the state promoted electronic city.

Police said seven workers were engaged in the digging work and two were saved by fire force personnel. Initial reports suggested that safety measures were lacking at the construction site and Industry Minister P Rajeev said the contractors responsible will be booked.

District collector of Kochi, Jaffer Malik, who reached the spot, said a detailed probe on safety protocols being followed at the construction site will take place.

As soon as the incident took place, a team of the Kerala Fire and Rescue swung into action and saved six people trapped under the debris. They were then rushed to a nearby hospital.

However, despite the best efforts of the medical team at the hospital, four lives could not be saved.

The remaining two are presently admitted to the hospital and are out of danger.

Meanwhile, reports from the accident site have raised doubts as one labourer has been reported missing while the rescue operation is still underway.