Worker Dies After Suffocation in Hubballi Building, Three Critical in Oxygen Deficiency Tragedy at Construction Site

NewsFlash Daily™

19 March

Four workers were found unconscious in an under-construction building, generator fumes suspected, one dead and three battling for life in the ICU

Hubballi: In a tragic incident in Hubballi, a 26-year-old worker died after allegedly suffering from oxygen deficiency inside an under-construction building, while three others remain in critical condition. The deceased has been identified as Amjad Pasha, a native of Ramanagara district.

The incident came to light on March 17, when four workers were found unconscious inside a locked shop space in Deshpande Nagar, where interior work was underway. All four were rushed to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), but Amjad Pasha succumbed after battling for life for three days.

Three Workers Critical, Under Intensive Care

The remaining workers, identified as Jafar, Zabi and Haider, are currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are said to be in critical condition.

According to police, all four victims are residents of Jamalsaab Palya in Magadi taluk and had come to Hubballi for interior and LED installation work at a dry fruits shop under construction.

Generator Fumes Suspected Behind Suffocation

Preliminary investigations suggest that toxic fumes and lack of ventilation may have caused the incident. On the night of March 16, the workers had dinner and went to sleep inside the shop with shutters closed, while a generator used by other workers was allegedly left running.

“The generator was not switched off after work, leading to accumulation of gases inside the closed building,” sources said.

With chemicals stored for interior work and no proper air circulation, the oxygen levels inside the building reportedly dropped, causing the workers to suffocate.

Driver’s Alert Leads to Rescue

The incident was discovered by a lorry driver, Alim, who was sleeping outside the premises. When the workers did not come out by morning, he opened the shutters and found them unconscious.

He immediately alerted locals and the shop owner, following which an ambulance was called and the workers were shifted to KIMS Hospital.

Police Case Registered, Probe Underway

A case has been registered at the Hubballi Suburban Police Station, and further investigation is underway to determine negligence and safety lapses at the site.