Nazret News confirmed that seven construction workers were killed and about a dozen were severely burnt at Chinese run construction site in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa. According to witnesses cited by Addis Standard, about 20 day laborers were inside their dormitory when the fire broke out around 8:00 PM local time.
Witnesses told the paper that, the fire was caused by an explosion from a gas cylinder. The report revealed that 20 Ethiopian construction workers were cramped in 968 square feet dormitories while a maximum of 4 Chinese workers share a single dormitory.
It is however stated that the living quarters for the Ethiopian workers is made of a corrugated iron without fire extinguishers, while the Chinese workers live in a modern building with fire extinguishers.
More concern is that officials from the Chinese State Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC), which is constructing the stadium in the capital Addis Ababa, have refused to speak about the accident to the press. This silence, according to victims puts a believe feeling that the action was deliberate to protect the company’s interest and its image.
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
