Cancun, Q.R. — UPDATED: The mayor of Cancun has confirmed the death of at least one person from a construction site accident Friday. The man, reported to be an administrator, was killed by falling debris when an entrance arch collapsed.
City emergency teams found the collapsed entrance arch of the Aqua by Cumbres residential complex on Huayacán Avenue. Authorities were made aware of the incident shortly after 2:00 p.m. Friday.
One person was killed and six others reported injured when the concrete structure came crashing to the ground. The arch was constructed as the security booth entrance to a new up-and-coming residential area.
The collapse happened at the security booth where the arch had been constructed. There are reports that one of the injured was an on-site security guard from inside the booth.
Local reports say that security guard later died in hospital, however, city officials have not confirmed that information.
According to an official statement made by the City of Cancun “following a report received through the 911 emergency number at 2:03 p.m. this Friday, municipal authorities addressed the collapse of an access booth-type structure in a residential area located on Huayacan Avenue.
“One person has been reported dead, so emergency teams carried out debris removal and rescue work in the area.
“At the scene, elements of Civil Protection Cancun, Cancun Firefighters, Cancun Police, Cancun Transit, ERUM and the Mexican Red Cross worked in a coordinated manner. The information continues to be updated as the rescue and relief efforts progress.”
The accident is reported to have happened when workers were pouring concrete for the structure that would form part of the security access point for the residential complex.
According to initial reports, the structure was poorly made and unable to support the weight of the wet concrete. During the pouring, it suddenly and without warning collapsed trapping several workers.
Witnesses reported that the collapse was fast, not allowing workers a chance to escape.
At the scene, emergency services confirmed that one person, a man, was trapped under a large amount of concrete and construction material and pronounced dead at the scene.
He has been identified as Mauricio Arnulfo Palomino, an administrator of Aqua by Cumbres. The company released a statement Friday afternoon confirming the collapse and identifying the man that was killed.
Six others were injured and transferred to Cancun hospital.
Cancun Civil Protection says they are continuing their investigation into the construction site collapse.
“We continue to work in coordination on the structural collapse,” Protección Civil Cancún said.
Cancun authorities have not provided additional information.
UPDATE: The FGE has reported the start of an investigation into the accident that left two dead Friday. According to official FGE information, a second person has died from injuries sustained during the concrete arch collapse Friday.
In a statement late Saturday morning they said “the Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office (FGE Quintana Roo) reports the opening of an investigation into the crimes of negligent homicide, bodily harm, and property damage, related to the events that occurred in the access area of a residential complex located in Superblock 330 of the municipality of Benito Juárez.
“As a result of this incident, two people tragically died, and seven others were injured and are receiving medical attention at various hospitals in the city. To date, no life-threatening injuries have been reported.
“Since the incident was reported, investigative agents, specialized experts, and prosecutors from the Public Ministry have been carrying out the corresponding procedures to clarify what happened and determine responsibility.
“As part of the investigation, civil engineering experts specializing in structures are participating to determine the causes of the collapse of a structure located at the entrance to the complex.
“Authorities from all three levels of government are maintaining constant coordination to advance the investigations and determine responsibility in accordance with the law.”
