Family of four injured in Hilla ceiling collapse linked to nearby sewage project

BABIL — Four members of a family were injured Sunday when the ceiling of their reception room collapsed in the Al-Thawra neighborhood of central Hilla, with relatives blaming heavy machinery used in nearby sewage construction.

Ahmed Hadi, the homeowner’s nephew, told 964media the collapse happened around 6 a.m. and was caused by intense ground vibrations from a vibratory pile driver operating near the house as part of the Hilla sewage project.

“Around six in the morning we were surprised by the collapse of the reception room ceiling in my uncle’s house because of the use of a vibratory pile driver in excavations for the Hilla sewage project near the house,” Hadi said. He added that the machine “causes severe vibrations in the ground and nearby houses.”

The father and his three children were injured in the incident. “Two of them are in critical condition and currently in the hospital, in need of surgical intervention,” Hadi said.