Two labourers were killed after a heap of mud caved in on them during installation of BWSSB’s sanitary pipeline at Aradhana Layout near Arakere in Hulimaavu police limits on Saturday evening.
Police identified the deceased as Shekappa (30), a native of Gulbarga, and Bhoopalam (42) of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
They were staying at a temporary shed in Anjanapura close to the work site and had come to the city with their relatives just three months ago.
Shekappa, who was married last year, is the father of a six-month-old child. His mother was also working at the same site.
Police said the incident took place around 4.30 pm. The BWSSB had awarded the contract to install a pipeline in Aradhana Layout to Aaiyappa and Company, an Andhra Pradesh-based contractor. A pit of about 10 feet deep was dug to install the pipes.
The mud, which was heaped on the roadside, caved in on Shekappa and Bhoopalam burying them alive. Other labourers, who rushed to rescue them, used an excavator to lift the mud which took nearly 90 minutes, police said.
The two were rushed to a nearby hospital where they were declared brought dead. The bodies have been shifted to Victoria Hospital for autopsy.
Hulimaavu police have registered a case under IPC Section 304A (causing death by negligence) against Aaiyappa, the contractor, and have taken him into custody.