Deadly Fire Causes Controversies between Chinese Contractor and Ethiopian Workers

September 6, 2017 - A fire accident that engulfed workers' dormitory at the construction site of Ethiopia’s largest stadium, Adey Abeba Stadium, claimed the lives of seven people so far while almost a dozen were burned severely, reports Addis Standard. Around 20 day laborers who came from various parts of Ethiopia in search of jobs were believed to have been inside their dormitory when the fire broke out on Saturday August 8, 2017. Some of them were readying to sleep and others were preparing dinner when a gas cylinder exploded at about 8:00 PM local time.

Officials from the Chinese State Engineering Corporation Ltd (CSCEC), which is constructing the stadium in the capital Addis Ababa (near the Bob Marley Square), have refused to speak about the accident to the press. The victims believe this is a deliberate silence to protect the company's interest and its image.

Addis Standard has confirmed the incident by visiting Desta Zeleke, one of the dozen badly injured workers who is currently receiving medical treatment at Menelik II Hospital and several other victims who were already discharged from hospitals.

Wondosen Demeke, Omer Abdela and Yalew Tsehaye, who had their legs and hands burned but had already left hospital, told Addis Standard that five of the deceased: Gutema Meshu, Shuferi Abdurahman, Aliye Mohammed, Kediro Midaso and Dita Geleto had come from Torban Hansawe Woreda in Shashemene, 250 km south of Addis Abeba; while two of them: Berihun Belay and Mengistu Dibash, came from Wolo, 508 km north east of Addis Abeba. Their bodies have all been sent to their families.

Alemnew, another laborer who wanted to be identified by his first name only, also confirmed the accident and said it was caused by an explosion from a gas cylinder. He survived unscathed because he "was outside the dormitory" he told Addis Standard. Another victim who was badly injured by the fire is Getachew who left the city and "went to his family," according to Alemnew. No one knew Getachew's current location.

Chen, who is the site manager of CSCEC, but only wanted to give his first name, admitted to Addis Standard that the accident had indeed happened, but refused to show the place or give more details of the accident,. When asked if he was willing to show Addis Standard the scene of the accident, he said it was already "demolished and not safe [to visit]."

The victims were first taken to Haya Hulet health center, a government clinic, but later on they were transferred to various government hospitals. There was also a time lapse as there were not enough ambulances to take the victims to hospitals.

According to the information from some of the victim's families who came all the way from Shashemene and Wollo were promised 15,000 Birr (about US$640) each as compensations package to "avoid controversy and potential lawsuits", but they declined to accept. In addition to that, they were also offered 4,000 Birr (about US$170) for burial costs, which was what they were paid so far. They used it to cover the cost of transporting the bodies of their loved ones to their respective places of birth.

Chen of CSCEC claims that his company has "given money" to the families of the deceased and is taking care of those who are in hospital and who were already discharged from hospitals after treatment, "even though it is not the responsibility of the company." He did not want to disclose the exact amount of money the company paid.

Source: Addis Standard