Chetumal, Q.R. — Two construction workers have been confirmed killed in a mid-day accident in central Chetumal. The now deceased were part of a group of contract workers replacing a large sanitation line for CAPA.
According to CAPA (Comisión de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado), the soft ground of a recently excavated area approximately three meters deep caved in, burying several workers. Two of those workers did not make it out alive.
The accident happened around noon Tuesday on Insurgentes Avenue while the crew were replacing water lines. Municipal and State police, along with city firemen and paramedics, helped locate the buried workers. The two who died are reported to have suffocated in the mud.
In a statement Tuesday afternoon, the Drinking water and Sewage Commission (CAPA) released an official statement saying the Comisión de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado reports that this Tuesday, during rehabilitation work on the sanitation system in the city of Chetumal, an accident occurred in a section of excavation located on Insurgentes Avenue between Aarón Merino Fernández and Cornelio Lizárraga Streets.
“The incident occurred in a trench approximately three meters deep where personnel from MAYPE Construcciones S.A. de C.V., the company responsible for the construction, were working.
“As a result of softening of the ground, a collapse occurred in the excavation area in which two workers from the company unfortunately lost their lives.
“Emergency and rescue teams immediately responded to the site to take appropriate action. According to preliminary reports, the workers were equipped with the required safety and personal protection equipment, including lifelines.
“The project manager of MAYPE Construcciones S.A. de C.V. is providing full support, assistance, and attention to the families of the deceased in compliance with current regulations.
“For its part, CAPA is monitoring the progress of this unfortunate event to ensure the proper care of the families involved. It reiterates its commitment to safe construction work and its willingness to collaborate with the relevant authorities in following up on this case.”
