Bengaluru: A 21-year-old labourer was killed after he was crushed under a crane at the K.R. Market underground metro work station work site opposite Jain Bhavan on Wednesday morning.

The crane overturned owing to loose soil in the work area, it has been reported. Dilip Manjhi, a contract labourer, was working at the south ramp of the underground section when the accident took place.

While unloading steel from the truck, the crane tilted and fell to the ground and the worker, who was at the side of the crane, was crushed to death.

The Central Traffic police have booked a case under IPC (304A-causing death due to negligence) against the site manager and supervisor, who are said to be absconding.

A Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. release said that his parents have been informed and arrangements have been made by the contractor to send the body by air to his hometown, Jharkhand.

Apart from making ex gratia payment to the family, the contractor will also give compensation as per law, the release said, adding that BMRCL has also released an ex- gratia amount of Rs. 50,000.