Indian consulate seeks release of fall workers' bodies

DUBAI // Two workers who died after the cradle they were working in fell from the 27th floor of a building under construction in Dubai have been identified as Nirmal Singh, 27, and Ajay Kumar, 24.

Their identities were confirmed yesterday by an official at the Indian Consulate, who said efforts were being made to secure the release of both bodies for repatriation to northern India's Punjab state.

Consular officials, who declined to be named, said they were in touch with Multiforms, the Dubai-based company that had employed the workers.

"The company will pay compensation and all dues to the families of the men," a consular official said. "Multiforms has assured us they will expedite the process of sending the mortal remains of their workers back to their families in India. They will be meeting the police for the release of the remains. This is being actively pursued."

A contractor and subcontractor overseeing construction of the tower where the workers fell to their deaths were released on bail yesterday, Dubai Police said. Both contractors faced charges of negligence leading to death. Dubai Municipality officials will visit the construction site today to complete their investigation.

Construction work was suspended for the second successive day on the 30-storey and 36-storey towers, which are located in the Downtown area on Emaar Boulevard, opposite Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.

Workers on site said they were awaiting clearance from the municipality and police before work could resume.

* Additional reporting from Wafa Issa and Carol Huang