Bengaluru: Two labourers lost their lives and another was injured after a mudslide at an under-construction building site in Koramangala, Bengaluru, on Tuesday evening. The incident marks the second such tragedy in the city within a month.

Details of the incident

The accident occurred at a commercial building site in Sidharta Colony. At around 6.30 pm, eight labourers were working near a 20-foot-deep basement excavation when mud from a supporting pillar suddenly gave way, burying several workers. Police were alerted at 7.15 pm and a team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Sarah Fathima rushed to the spot.

While five workers managed to escape unharmed, Lal Muddin, 32, and Razauddin Ansari, 33, both hailing from Jharkhand, were pulled out from the debris and pronounced dead at the scene. Another worker, Saifulla, 28, sustained injuries but is now stable and receiving medical treatment.

Safety concerns and complaints

Ansari’s brother, Sakir, filed a complaint with Madiwala police following the accident. Although the property owner reportedly had obtained the necessary permissions for construction, safety measures at the site have come under scrutiny.

This incident follows a similar tragedy in early September, when J Shiva, 32, and Madhusudhan Reddy, 58, were buried alive while installing modular rainwater harvesting boxes at an under-construction site in Yelahanka. The Bengaluru police had booked 14 individuals, including officials from the Embassy Group, over negligence in that case.

Regulatory oversight and urban construction risks

Experts and authorities have repeatedly warned about lapses in safety protocols at urban construction sites in Bengaluru. The city’s rapid real estate growth has sometimes led to inadequate monitoring of labour safety measures, especially at deep excavations and high-rise projects.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Sarah Fathima noted that preliminary investigations will examine whether standard safety measures were followed at the Koramangala site. “We are looking into whether all protocols were observed, and legal action will be taken based on findings,” she said.

Conclusion

The Koramangala mudslide underscores the urgent need for strict adherence to construction safety norms in Bengaluru. Authorities have urged contractors and site managers to prioritise worker safety and ensure compliance with all statutory guidelines to prevent further tragedies.