Testimonies from 31 individuals have been recorded as the investigation into the Arad building collapse following a gas cylinder explosion last week continues.
Two people were killed and six others injured in the incident that occurred on Wednesday night.
Statements were taken from five of the injured individuals and 26 witnesses, said a statement yesterday.
A forensic expert has been assigned to examine the deceased and determine the cause of death, as well as to assess the injuries of those affected.
The bodies were released to their families.
Crime scene and Civil Defence experts were tasked with determining the cause of the explosion, while occupational safety specialists were assigned to assess the structural integrity of the building and the reason for its collapse.
The Muharraq Governorate’s Chief Prosecutor said that an investigation was launched after the Public Prosecution received a report from Hidd Police Station regarding an explosion in the two-storey building in Arad, which resulted in the complete collapse of the structure, the death of two individuals, injuries to six others and damage to nearby shops and vehicles.
The investigation remains ongoing as the prosecution awaits technical reports from the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the incident and those responsible.
The GDN reported previously that Bangladeshi barber Shymol Chandra Shill and 66-year-old Bahraini customer Ali Abdulla Al Ahmed were killed in the incident.
Seven fire engines and 38 Civil Defence personnel were deployed to the scene.
During a visit to the site last week, Public Security Chief Lieutenant General Tariq Al Hassan urged people to be wary of cheap and dodgy construction work.
He added that the Civil Defence conducted regular safety and security checks of all buildings, shops and restaurants. He said during the inspections things seem all right but then people ignore calls for maintenance, repair or fire safety measures.
The owner of the building was summoned for questioning, according to the Interior Ministry, and the issue is expected to be discussed as top priority during today’s Muharraq Municipal Council weekly meeting.
Meanwhile, a fund-raising campaign was launched by the Arad Village Charity Society, and supported by Parliament, the Muharraq Municipal Council and charity societies, to collect BD100,000 to replace shattered windows and smashed electronics as well as repair cracks and caved-in rooftops of nearby buildings.
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