TUNNEL ACCIDENT KILLS TWO IN SYRIA TRIGGERING GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATION DAMASCUS, DEC 31 (KUNA) -- GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING KEENLY INTO AN INCIDENT IN THE CAPITAL, DAMASCUS, THAT LEFT TWO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS DEAD. A SAND BARRIER IN A TUNNEL THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION HAD COLLAPSED KILLING THE TWO VICTIMS.
THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT AS THE TWO WERE WORKING IN THE "FAIHA"' TUNNEL IN THE HEART OF THE CAPITAL. THE TWO WERE KILLED INSTANTLY.
THE OFFICIAL PRESS TODAY SAID PRESIDENT BASHAR AL-ASSAD HAD ORDERED IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL AID TO THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES.
PRESS REPORTS SAID PRIME MINISTER MOHAMMAD MUSTAFA MIRO ACCOMPANIED BY SOME OF HIS MINISTERS PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE SCENE. MIRO THEN HELD AN EMERGENCY MEETING WITH THE BODIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT.
PAPERS QUOTED MIRO SAYING THE AUTHORITIES HAD ALREADY INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF SLACK IN SAFETY MEASURES AS A CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT.
CONSTRUCTION IN THE TUNNEL HAD BEGUN A MONTH AGO. THE PLAN IS TO LINK THE TUNNEL TO EXISTING NON-CONNECTED TUNNELS TO ALLEVIATE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, PARTICULARLY AT RUSH HOURS.
THE PROJECT COMES AT A COST OF 103 MILLION LIRA, AROUND TWO MILLION DOLLARS. CONSTRUCTION WOULD TAKE THREE MONTHS TILL COMPLETION. (END) SHA.WSA KUNA 311730 Dec 01NNNN