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President Solih calls for stronger safety measures after tragic construction accident

Fathmath Shaahunaz
17 December 2018, MVT 20:39
Rawshan Jian passed away tragically after she was struck by a falling cement bag at a construction site.
Fathmath Shaahunaz
17 December 2018, MVT 20:39

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday called to learn from the tragic death of a young girl in a construction accident, and to enforce stronger safety measures.

Extending his condolences to the family of Rawshan Jian, a 7-year-old who was struck by a falling cement bag on Sunday, President Solih made the statement in a Tweet he posted regarding the tragedy.

"There is no greater sadness than the passing of a child’s life. My sincere condolences to the parents and family of young Rawshan Jian. May we all learn from this terrible tragedy and resolve to enforce stronger safety measures," he said.

The accident occurred early Sunday morning when Rawshan Jian was walking by the Nalahiya Manzil construction site in Maafannu ward of capital Male with her mother. She was struck by a cement bag that fell on top of her head from the fifth storey of the building.

According to local media, Jian immediately underwent surgery when she was rushed to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) early Sunday. However, she remained in critical condition due to severe internal injuries, and went into cardiac arrest twice afterwards. Her condition was too severe to airlift her despite her parents' wish to take her abroad for treatment.

She succumbed to her injuries on Monday while in intensive care.

Leaked surveillance footage of the accident sparked public outcry, with many taking to social media to express condolences to the girl and her family, and criticising the lack of proper safety measures in construction sites.

In the wake of the accident, Male City Council has suspended the construction permit of Nalahiya Manzil's contractor W Construction, and temporarily halted issuing permits as well.

Jian was the eldest of two children, born to a family of Bangladeshi doctors working at Nilandhoo Hospital in Faafu Atoll.

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