A 42-year-old worker, the sole breadwinner for his family and two disabled children, died after a shed collapsed at a rice mill in Velpuru, Tanuku.

  • Worker died due to a head injury after a shed collapsed during cleaning.
  • The deceased, Durga Prasad, was the sole provider for his wife and two disabled sons.
  • Allegations of severe safety negligence at the industrial site.

In a devastating turn of events during the festive season, a tragedy has struck a family in Velpuru village of the Tanuku mandal in Andhra Pradesh. A 42-year-old man named Durga Prasad lost his life in a freak accident at a local rice mill where he had been employed for the past year.

According to police reports, the incident occurred on Friday morning. While cleaning the mill premises in preparation for the Vinayaka Chavithi festival, Prasad climbed onto a shed. Suddenly, the structure gave way, causing him to fall from a significant height. He sustained severe head injuries and passed away while being rushed to the hospital by his colleagues.

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Following a complaint lodged by his wife, Meena Kumari, the Tanuku Rural SI Nalam Srinivas Rao has registered a case and initiated a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows a systemic failure in the enforcement of occupational health and safety (OHS) standards in rural industrial units. The absence of basic safety gear transforms routine maintenance tasks into death traps. This incident highlights the urgent need for stringent government inspections of small-scale mills to prevent avoidable fatalities.

The human cost of this accident is staggering. Durga Prasad was the sole pillar of support for his family. He had two sons, both of whom are specially-abled. The elder son, Lokesh, has partial leg impairment and is currently in his second year of Intermediate studies. The younger son, Charan Durgasai, is completely disabled and bedridden, requiring constant care from his mother.

“The lack of safety harnesses and helmets in high-risk zones is a criminal negligence that costs the most vulnerable members of our workforce their lives.”

Local residents have voiced strong criticism against the mill management, claiming that no safety protocols were in place. The lack of safety belts and helmets, combined with a lack of official supervision, has led to this avoidable tragedy, leaving the family in absolute despair.

Did You Know?: Industrial safety laws globally mandate a 'Duty of Care' where employers are legally obligated to ensure the working environment is without risk to health and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What caused the accident at the rice mill?
The accident was caused by the collapse of a shed that the worker had climbed to perform cleaning activities for the festival.

2. Who is investigating the case?
The Tanuku Rural SI Nalam Srinivas Rao is leading the investigation following a complaint by the deceased's wife.