A retaining wall at a construction site in Nepani collapsed early this morning, resulting in damage to nearby homes and at least one vehicle. The incident, which occurred around 2 a.m., startled residents with a loud noise.
Kunal Chand, who bought his car in March, was dismayed to find it buried beneath the rubble. Having lived in the area for a year, he expressed disbelief that such an event could occur, especially with his car parked in the usual spot after a late night at work.
“I never expected this to happen. I was shocked when I came outside and saw my car buried under the debris,” he said.
The collapse also impacted at least two neighboring families, as the wall fell perilously close to their residences. Chand voiced his frustration at the construction company, questioning how they were allowed to continue operations following such an incident.
The construction company attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall the previous night, stating, “It is a construction site, and work is still in progress.” Upon arrival at the scene, workers were observed removing construction signage from the property.
Chand argued that adequate safety measures for nearby residents should be a priority before any construction begins. “Proper assessments should be conducted to ensure the safety of the surrounding area,” he emphasized.
Chand requested a temporary vehicle from the construction company for commuting, but they advised him to rely on his insurance instead. “I spoke with the construction owner this morning, and they suggested I claim from my own insurance, as their property insurance will take time,” he explained. “I had asked for a temporary vehicle to get to work, but they simply denied my request.”
Residents are now calling 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.