11 workers dead in Visakhapatnam shipyard crane collapse

Guwahati: At least 11 people have been killed at a crane accident at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), a central government undertaking, in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam on Saturday afternoon.

According to reports, the mishap occurred when workers were carrying out an inspection of the crane that is generally used to carry equipment for shipbuilding purposes. The crane suddenly crashed to the ground with a terrible roar.

Police officials said that around 20 workers were working on the inspection site when the crane crashed; although some workers managed to run for their lives, several were injured and 11 workers were crushed under the weight of the massive crane.

The injured workers have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment for their injuries; the police have been retrieving the bodies with the help of shipyard staff.

Reports stated that at least 3 bodies were retrieved from under the debris; the police with the help of shipyard staff are involved in the rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the state's Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has directed Visakhapatnam's district collector and police commissioner to take immediate action in the incident.

RK Meena, Visakhapatnam's police commissioner, rushed to the spot to inquire into the cause of the accident.

According to reports, the crane in question was bought by the HSL almost a decade ago and its operation was recently outsourced to a private agency.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal, expressing his profound sorrow over the crane collapse, wrote on Twitter, "Saddened to hear about the crane collapse incident at Hindustan Shipyard Complex in Visakhapatnam this afternoon. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this hour of need. Praying for the safety of all."

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