A daily-wage labourer from Gorantla, Thota Apparao (56), reportedly died on Tuesday after an under-construction culvert collapsed in Devapuram under Pattabhipuram police limits in Guntur. Apparao, who was engaged with work at the site, got buried under the debris when the slab suddenly gave way.

Guntur Mayor Kovelamudi Ravindra and Municipal Commissioner Puli Srinivasulu expressed grief over the incident. They assured full support to the family of the deceased on behalf of the Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC) and said that the contractor had agreed to offer ₹5 lakh as financial assistance to the bereaved family.

Guntur West MLA Galla Madhavi visited the family of the deceased at the Government General Hospital (GGH) mortuary and extended condolences. “We stand by Apparao’s family. The incident is deeply saddening, and a thorough inquiry will be conducted. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible,” she said.

Several corporators and officials also visited the site and the hospital to console the grieving family. The Municipal Commissioner has directed the Superintending Engineer (SE) to submit a detailed report on the incident.