At least one person is confirmed dead after a building collapsed at Perth’s Curtin University on Tuesday.
The West Australian reports that in addition to the one death, another person is in a critical condition and several others have been injured.
“We have been advised that no Curtin students or staff were involved in the incident,” the university said in a statement.
It’s believed a glass ceiling in a new building on campus, which is still under construction, according to WA Police.
Incredibly disturbing images from Curtin University, showing damage to a building under construction. Emergency services at the scene now https://t.co/lEY3LCujaa pic.twitter.com/NhYP4kEKaB
— Jacob Kagi (@kagij) October 13, 2020
Workers were evacuated from the construction site of Building 418 near University Boulevard and Beazley Avenue at around midday, Western Australian time.
The new precinct, known as The Exchange, contained the uni’s new school of design as well as shops, student accommodation and a hotel.
The project, managed by Lend Lease, cost $110 million and its website noted an “intense period of construction” taking place in 2020, before it was set to fully open in 2022.
Paramedics and two ambulances have rushed to Curtin Uni, as have several firefighting crews, the ABC reports. It’s believed police officers are at the scene, too.
St John Ambulance took two men in their 20s with multiple injuries to Royal Perth Hospital.
St John Ambulance has crews in attendance at Curtin University this afternoon. No further details at this stage. Updates to come. #incidentupdate
— St John WA (@stjohn_wa) October 13, 2020
Before releasing a brief statement late in the afternoon, Curtin University texted students hours earlier asking them to avoid the construction site and to let their families know they’re alright.
More to come.
