WAMCO confirms driver on ventilator after fall, says he slipped

Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO) on Wednesday confirmed the identity of the individual who sustained serious injuries at one of the company’s sites in Male’ earlier this week as one of their truck drivers, adding that he slipped and fell into a container.

The incident gained public attention after a Facebook user shared a photo of a man in WAMCO uniform lying injured inside a deep container.

The Facebook user said the man fell into the container from one of WAMCO’s ramps, and that the incident took place at around 03:00 am Monday.

The police said the incident was reported to them on Monday evening.

The WAMCO worker sustained serious injuries in the incident, and is being treated on a ventilator at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

When questioned about the incident, a spokesperson from WAMCO confirmed the identity of the injured as one of the company’s drivers.

The spokesperson said that he “slipped and fell into the container while engaged in work outside his official duties.”

The spokesperson also said the company immediately informed relevant authorities upon becoming aware of the situation, and took the injured worker to the hospital.

We will continue to monitor everything until he is discharged home, said the spokesperson.

WAMCO has been accused of warning workers who were present to hide what they witnessed.

This allegation is denied by WAMCO, which said they have nothing to hide and are providing their full cooperation to the authorities.

The latest tragedy comes after a WAMCO worker was found dead in January at one of the company’s sites in Thilafushi two days after he went missing. Investigators found 24-year-old Ameen Mia, a Bangladeshi laborer, got hit by an excavator and got buried under piles of waste. The excavator operator has been arrested by police and is under investigation for involuntary manslaughter.

And in December, a WAMCO worker sustained serious injuries after accidently ingesting diesel at the company’s site in GA. Dhiyadhoo.

These incidents have renewed scrutiny over workplace safety.