A retaining wall at a construction site near Nepani collapsed early this morning, damaging nearby residential areas and a parked vehicle. The incident took place around 2 am, startling local residents with a loud crash.
Kunal Chand, who bought his first car in March, was dismayed to find it trapped under the debris. Having lived in the area for a year, he never expected such an event to occur. “It was totally unexpected. I usually return from work late at night and park in that exact spot. I never thought this would happen. I was caught off guard,” he shared.
The collapse impacted at least two other families, with the wall falling perilously close to their homes. Chand voiced his frustration toward the construction company, questioning their ability to continue operations after the incident.
The construction firm attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall the previous night, stating, “It is a construction site, and works are still in progress.” When reporters arrived, workers were observed removing construction signage from the property.
Chand insisted that before such developments proceed, the safety of nearby residents should be prioritized. He has requested a temporary vehicle from the construction company after his car was damaged, but was told to rely on his insurance instead. “This morning, I spoke with the owner of the construction company. They suggested I claim insurance for my car instead of theirs, as their property insurance will take time,” he said. “I asked for a temporary vehicle for commuting to work, but they simply denied my request.”
Residents are now advocating for stricter regulations on construction projects near homes, urging authorities 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.