A retaining wall at a construction site near Nepani collapsed early this morning, resulting in damage to several residential properties, including a vehicle.
The incident took place around 2 a.m., with the loud noise waking residents nearby.
Kunal Chand, who bought his car in March, was taken aback to discover it buried beneath the rubble.
Having lived in the area for a year, he expressed disbelief at the unexpected damage. “I just got this car, my first one. It was completely unforeseen. I usually come home from work late and park in that spot. I never imagined something like this could happen. I wasn’t prepared for it,” he stated.
Chand described his shock upon seeing his vehicle trapped under the debris.
The wall’s collapse impacted at least two other families as it fell perilously near their homes.
Chand voiced his anger toward the construction company, questioning how it could continue operations following such an incident.
According to the construction company, the collapse was prompted by heavy rainfall the previous night. They stated, “It is a construction site, and work is still ongoing.”
When reporters from Fiji One News arrived, workers were observed removing construction signage from the property.
“Before embarking on such development, they should prioritize the safety of nearby residents. Proper assessments need to be conducted to ensure the safety of the surroundings,” Chand remarked.
He requested a temporary vehicle from the construction company to assist with his commute but was told to depend on his insurance instead.
“This morning, I spoke to the construction owner who suggested I file an insurance claim for my car instead of theirs, as their property insurance will take longer to process,” he explained. “I asked for a temporary vehicle so I could at least get to work, but they flatly denied my request.”
Residents are now advocating for tighter regulations on construction projects situated close to residential areas, urging authorities to avert similar occurrences 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.