Buidling Collapse at Royalton

[Rob]

From Update #2 from the Observer:

"The Ministry of Health is reporting that two of the construction workers on the building at the Royalton construction site in Negril, Westmoreland, that collapsed this morning, are unaccounted for.

Minister of Health Dr Chris Tufton told OBSERVER ONLINE a short while ago that three of the workers on the site are now at hospital receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the collapse of the building."

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lates...naccounted-for

[SoCal_dan]

Wow so sad. I was marveling at the size of that project when driving by in April. Collapse does not look good at all. It's possible the whole site will have to be leveled. Thoughts with the missing.

[halfwaytree]

My thoughts go out to any of the workers who were injured or may still be trapped and also to the families of those affected. Hopefully a thorough investigation will be launched into the cause so that this type of thing will not happen in the future, or at least the instances of such tragic events will be greatly reduced.

[Rob]

The Negril Chamber of Commerce has asked for an prompt investigation:

"President of the Negril Chamber of Commerce, Lee Issa, has called for a speedy investigation and full disclosure of the circumstances under which the scaffolding at a section of the Royalton hotel construction site in Negril, Hanover, collapsed this morning, injuring five men."

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/n...-royalton-site

[Rob]

And for some better news from the Gleaner:

"Minister without Portfolio in The Office of the Prime Minister Daryl Vaz is reporting that only five people were injured this morning when a section of a building at the Royalton hotel site collapsed.

All five were taken to hospital where two were treated and released and three admitted.

According to Vaz, the most seriously injured worker received head injuries including a wound above one of his eyes."

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/n...collapse-hotel

But teams are still removing debris searching for anyone who is beneath the rubble. I am so glad that this is turning out to be nothing remotely like the original stories. All over Negril, you could hear everyone talking and speculating on the causes and outcome. The investigation wanted by the Chamber should help prevent any further incidents like this. So far so good... as of now, no one died, two hurt and released and three admitted to the hospital. It could have been so much worse. A sad day has seemed to turn out to be a miracle day in Negril!

[Vince]

Glad to hear Rob! Prayers to the workers and there family!

[Barb111]

The Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has ordered the immediate halting of construction at the Royalton hotel site in Negril, Hanover saying there have been numerous breaches.

According to McKenzie, the order halting the construction will initially be for 30 days, but will be extended if necessary.

He says a preliminary report into the incident indicates that substandard material was being used, work was being undertaken outside of permitted hours and construction was being undertaken in areas for which there had been no approval.

READ: Negril Chamber calls for speedy probe into building collapse at Royalton site

McKenzie, speaking on Beyond the Headlines on RJR 94FM said he has also established a three-man team to investigate the incident.

READ: Two released from hospital, three admitted following building collapse at hotel site

"We are going to do everything within the law to ensure that we get to the bottom of what is taking place and we are going to be taking the necessary action," he said.

McKenzie has also acknowledged that the Hanover Parish Council has long been receiving reports about breaches at the construction site, however, it failed intervene.

"I'm not offering any defence, but we need also to strengthen the capacity of the local authority to respond in a more meaningful way," he said.

[NKY]

And the plot thickens....

http://m.jamaicaobserver.com/mobile/...es---JET_60600

[johng]

NKY,

Thanks for sharing the JET link. This sort of accident happens all over the world when "Contractors" and political parties, investors, etc. come together on a build such as this. As fate would have it the 4 story building was as I understand it one story too high for the regulations that were in place to begin with???

I lost a very good friend in a 1987 building accident in Bridgeport, CT which is a well known city of corrupt mayors, politicians and construction project "You rub my back, I'll rub yours" mentality.

Not saying that is what happened in Negril but this type of construction mishap does occur all over the world. God Bless all those involved in the Negril accident!!


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_P._Ganim

http://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/24/ny...pagewanted=all

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Ambiance_Plaza_collapse

[Rob]

There should be some informational findings coming out soon....

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...ollapse-_61167