3 others injured in incident
Police are investigating following the collapse of a retaining wall at a construction site in Quebec that resulted in the death of a 31-year-old worker and injured three others.
The incident occurred Tuesday morning at a site on Michèle-Bohec Boulevard in Blainville, where a mixed-use development known as Place Liria is under construction.
The victim—identified by police as Alexandre Paris—was trapped under rubble in a construction pit for several hours before his body was recovered late that evening, according to a CTV News report.
The collapse followed a soil inspection conducted just 30 minutes before the incident, which revealed problems with the retaining wall, Pierre-Olivier Parent, a workplace safety representative with the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) construction union, noted, according to the report.
Parent told CTV News that both the site foreman and the CSN representative were aware of the concerning results prior to the collapse.
Preco-MSE, the employer of the deceased worker, stated that Paris was a specialised labourer working for the company, which served as a subcontractor on the project. In a statement reported by CTV News, Preco-MSE expressed condolences and said psychological support services are being offered to affected employees. The company said it is too early to determine the cause of the accident.
Two of the three injured individuals were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Syscomax—the general contractor for the Place Liria project—has suspended work across all of its sites in response to the incident. The company—based in Mirabel, Que.—stated it is providing psychological support to staff, according to the report.
Place Liria is described by Syscomax as a 15-storey residential and commercial development with three levels of underground parking. The project has been noted for its “complex soil conditions,” which posed excavation challenges.
The CSN union has questioned whether adequate precautions were taken, particularly following significant rainfall over the preceding weekend. Parent told CTV News that saturated soil can substantially increase the pressure exerted on retaining structures.
Blainville police confirmed Wednesday that an investigation is underway for potential criminal negligence causing death.
