Three workers die after a crane collapses at a construction site in Tirupati

In a tragic incident, three workers died on the spot and three others sustained injuries after a crane collapsed at a construction site here on Tuesday (September 29, 2026).

The incident occurred on DBR Hospital Road, when a heavy crane deployed to excavate earth from a deep pit tilted and capsized into the same pit. The deceased were identified as Rama Rao (45) from Odisha, site engineer Sandeep Kumar (40) from Srikakulam, and watchman Gangaiah (40).

Crane operators Shaik Farhan and Naushad, both hailing from Bihar, and worker Murugaiah from Yerpedu were grievously injured and shifted to the nearby hospital for treatment.

Tirupati Municipal Corporation (TMC) Commissioner M. Jayakrishna rushed to the spot and ordered rescue and relief teams to bring the crane out of the deep pit. “The contractor had the required permission for the building, but officials will check whether they had adhered to the norms,” he said. A case of criminal negligence would be registered against the builder, he added.

Meanwhile, the local YSRCP unit demanded an explanation for the demolition of the compound wall belonging to Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Municipal corporation high school abutting the construction site, which was apparently done to facilitate movement of heavy vehicles into the premises.