Worker Dies in Slab Collapse at Under-Construction House in Nuapada

A daily wage worker died on September 1, 2026, after a concrete staircase slab collapsed at an under‑construction house in Chanabeda village, Khariar block, Nuapada district, Odisha. Rishike Shabar, 45, a resident of Ward‑11 under Khariar NAC and the sole breadwinner of his family, was removing centring plates and supports beneath the staircase when the slab unexpectedly gave way, crushing him under the heavy concrete. The Khariar Fire Service team arrived promptly, removed the slab and cleared the debris, rescuing him from the rubble. He was taken to Khariar Sub‑Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Police officials, including Sub‑Divisional Police Officer Upendra Kumar Pradhan and Inspector‑in‑Charge Sumanta Kumar Nayak, reached the scene, pacified an agitated crowd and arranged for the body to be sent for post‑mortem. An unnatural death case has been registered at Khariar police station and the investigation is ongoing. The house owner, a local resident, described the accident as "unfortunate" and assured financial assistance to the bereaved family.

What happened at the construction site?

Shabar was working as a daily wage labourer at a house owned by a local resident in Chanabeda village. He was in the process of dismantling the temporary centring plates and supports that hold the concrete staircase in place when the slab suddenly collapsed, trapping him beneath the heavy concrete. Local workers and villagers were the first to respond, followed by the Khariar Fire Service, which used manual methods to lift the slab and free the trapped worker. The rescue effort was swift, but the injuries proved fatal. The incident highlighted the absence of adequate safety measures, such as protective barriers, at the construction site.

How have authorities and locals responded?

Sub‑Divisional Police Officer Upendra Kumar Pradhan and Inspector‑in‑Charge Sumanta Kumar Nayak arrived at the spot, where they calmed an agitated crowd of onlookers and coordinated the removal of the deceased's body for post‑mortem. The house owner, a local resident, described the accident as "unfortunate" and pledged financial assistance to the family, acknowledging that Shabar was the sole earner. Social activists and intellectuals expressed concern over the recurring lack of protective gear and safety protocols at construction sites, urging authorities to enforce stricter safety standards. The investigation into the incident remains underway under Khariar police station.

What are the demands from the community?

Locals, social activists and intellectuals have demanded adequate compensation and justice for the victim’s family, emphasizing that Rishike Shabar was the sole breadwinner. They blame the persistent absence of safety measures, protective gear and adherence to safety protocols at construction sites for the series of accidents in the area. The community called for swift governmental action to provide compensation and to improve safety regulations to prevent future tragedies. The investigation is ongoing.

Related Coverage

• Odisha DRAF Rescues Eight from Birighat River Floods in Nuapada
• Nuapada Rains Breach SP Residence Wall, 35 Rescued in Flooding
• Police Bust Gambling Den in Nuapada, Teacher Among Four Arrested