Two workers buried alive after well collapse, despite 'huge efforts' to save them

Rescuers raise bodies from 20-metre hole

Rescue teams try to save the men after the well they were digging collapsed on them. Courtesy: RAK Police Instagram

Two labourers were buried alive when the well they were digging collapsed on Monday.

The accident happened in the grounds of a residential home in Ras Al Khaimah at 10.30am.

Captain Mohammed Al Nuaimi, acting director of Al Mamoura Police Station, said the bodies of the victims, aged 25 and 28, were pulled out of the 20-metre deep well.

“The men were ordered to dig a well with a depth of 20 metres without getting the necessary permissions, safety precautions or informing the authorities,” said Capt Al Nuaimi.

“Our rescue teams made huge efforts in order to pull them out of the collapsed well but they were already dead before we arrived. Investigations are still ongoing to determine the circumstances and the site has been secured."

Brig Gen Ghanim Ahmed Ghanem, director of Central Operations at RAK Police, urged construction companies and home owners to apply for permission before undertaking such work.

The site was cordoned off and safety procedures put in place to prevent further incidents.

The bodies were removed and police are now investigating the incident.