Corporation worker goes missing while cleaning Amayizhanjan canal; rescue efforts underway

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A corporation worker went missing while cleaning a canal near the railway station premise in the capital city on Saturday. Marayamuttom native Joy (42), a temporary employee of the municipal corporation had gone to clean the Amayizhanjan canal near the central railway station on Saturday morning amidst heavy rain. The fire force is conducting a laborious search to rescue the missing worker.

Three workers from the corporation arrived near the canal on Saturday morning for cleaning works amidst heavy rain. With the rain intensifying the union workers and locals in the area asked the workers to get back and resume work later. While two workers came out from the canal, Joy moved to the opposite side to come out. However, he was caught by surprise floods in the canal amid heavy rain and went missing.

The rescue work is difficult considering the challenging climate and the garbage-covered canal. Oxygen masks have been deployed while deep divers are also summoned to search. It is appalling that such an incident took place in the heart of the capital city with the fire force still unable to locate the missing worker.

It is reported that Joey started to clean the canal as per the instructions of the railway officials. Cleaning work has been going on in the stream since this morning to clear the mess created by garbage dumping. It is feared that the missing worker could be stuck beneath the garbage that has now taken a good part of the canal.