A construction site’s retaining wall near Nepani collapsed early this morning, damaging nearby homes and a vehicle. The incident took place around 2 AM, with the loud noise startling local residents.
Kunal Chand, who bought his car in March, was devastated to find it buried under rubble after the collapse. Having lived in the area for a year, he never expected such a disaster to affect him directly. “I recently got this car; it’s my first one. This was totally unexpected. I usually return home late and park in that exact spot. I never thought this could happen,” he remarked, still in shock upon discovering the damage.
The collapse impacted at least two other families, as the wall fell perilously close to their homes. Chand expressed frustration towards the construction company, questioning how they have not halted operations after such a calamity.
The construction company stated that heavy rains the previous night were the cause of the collapse, asserting, “It is a construction site, and work is still in progress.” When reporters arrived at the scene, workers were seen removing construction signage from the property.
Chand emphasized the need for construction companies to prioritize the safety of local residents. He mentioned that proper assessments should be conducted to ensure the surrounding area’s safety.
He has requested a temporary vehicle from the construction company for transportation, but they suggested he rely on his insurance instead. “This morning I spoke with the construction owner, and they asked me to file a claim with my insurance rather than theirs, as theirs could take time due to property insurance processes,” he explained. “I had asked for a temporary vehicle to commute to work, but they simply denied my request.”
Local residents are now advocating for stricter regulations on construction projects near residential areas to prevent similar incidents in the future. Fiji One News has reached out to the Ministry of Local Government and the local council for comments and is awaiting their response.