Dubai Municipality reveals causes of Mizhar incident

Contractor flouted engineering work norms

Dubai Municipality reveals causes of Mizhar incident

Dubai Municipality on Monday revealed the causes for the Al Mizhar accident which resulted in the death of three people and injury of a fourth one by the collapse of the wall of a building on them, following an initial investigation into the incident by a specialized team.

Marwan Abdullah Mohammed, Head of Engineering Supervision Section of Dubai Municipality said that on receiving a report through the Municipality Call Centre that a brick wall collapsed at a site under construction in Al Mizhar-1, the investigation team from the Buildings Department rushed to the spot and began its work by cordoning of the site and starting its investigation with the official contractor and the consultant in charge of the construction work.

He pointed out that the investigations are continuing, but initial indications suggest the incident happened due to some very basic mistakes by the contractor and the consultant while executing their job.

“After analyzing the incident it becomes clear that the wall collapsed when bricks were used as a base for the concrete wall throughout the 3 metre deep pit dug for the wall, which was erected 3 metre high for a span 40 metres,” said Mohammed.

He added that the basic reason for the incident is that the contractor built a wall of bricks in contravention of the engineering work norms.

“After providing the foundations of the wall no construction strengthening points were given and there was also lack of alternative support throughout the length of the collapsed wall. In addition to that no concrete columns were provided on the sides of the wall, which caused the occurrence of collapse,” said Mohammed.

“The contractor put sand behind the wall, which resulted in the pressure from that side. The wall could not take the pressure from the side. There was also lack of adequate supervision by the contractor and the consultant to ensure the safety of work and labourers,” he said.

Mohammed called upon all contractors and consultants working in the field of building and construction to follow the engineering norms in their work and not to cross beyond the technical specifications and requirements contained in the standard list of conditions and specifications of building and the safety manual issued by Dubai Municipality in order to protect life and property and to avoid legally punishable offences.