A partially built six-storey building collapsed on August 07 during the construction of the first floor in Poipet town, Bateay Meanchey province. FACEBOOK
Poipet town authorities have ordered a halt to construction and will conduct a site inspection after a partially built six-storey building collapsed during the construction of the first floor. One woman worker was seriously injured and 10 others suffered minor injuries.
The incident occurred on August 7, when about 20 workers were making the concrete slab for the floor. The structure collapsed as the woman was working underneath while other workers were also injured, according to Poipet town deputy police chief Prom Piset told The Post on August 8.
Piseth said the cause of the collapse could be due to improper construction techniques. The poles supporting the slab were too far apart and strong vibrations from passing concrete trucks worked them loose.
He said because the site is dangerous, authorities have temporarily shut it pending further investigation into the incident. Legal action will be taken if necessary.
"One of the injured workers was a woman who was in the basement of the building when it collapsed. Two or three other workers sustained minor injuries to their feet and hands. The seriously injured woman was sent to the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Hospital in Mongkol Borei district. The x-ray shows that her leg was severely injured but not broken,” he said.
The victim was Ny Srey Nich, 19, a Cambodian resident of O'Chrou village in Poipet town and commune.
Piseth said the building’s owner, Yim Kim Eang, 40, was a resident of Kilometre 4 Village in Poipet town’s Phsar Kandal commune.
A construction contractor was summoned for questioning to continue the proceedings but was not arrested.
Long Vuth, deputy director of the provincial Department of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, told The Post on August 8 that based on the official request, the building was only two stories.
He said the technical team is investigating the cause of the collapse.
"I cannot answer any questions now. Technically, they are investigating but we don’t know the exact cause yet. The construction document has the proper law permit from Poipet town hall. In this case, if we find a problem, we will follow the law,” he said.
