By Parag Deulgaonkar www.emirates247.com
Dubai Police have confirmed that the Asian youth, who jumped to his death from Burj Khalifa, had indeed committed suicide.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the Indian Consulate in Dubai, said the person, who was said to have committed suicide from Burj Khalifa on Tuesday, actually fell while working at the tower.
Col Ali Ahmed Ghanem, Director of Dubai Police Station, said the Asian, who worked as a foreman with a contracting company, committed suicide when he jumped from the 148 floor of Burj Khalifa. The deceased had left his shoes and book note at the site.
Ghanem called on public to keep distance from rumours and verify truth from the source, indicating that according to the statements made by the deceased’s friends there were light problems at work, but the deceased had been under severe psychological trauma caused by the death of his brother.
Ghanem noted that the police teams rushed to the scene of incident, following the report from the operations room saying someone had jumped to his death from the 184 floor and his body landed at the 124 floor.
The body has been taken, pending more procedures.
Earlier, the Indian Consulate statement said: “Investigations on this death are currently are being undertaken by the police authorities. The consulate is in touch with the concerned authorities and will extend all assistance in sending the mortal remains to his family after completion of the required formalities,” it said.
The 38-year-old Athiraman Kannan hailed from Tamil Nadu and was an employee of Arabtec, working as a cleaner in the building.
Arabtec officials could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, it was reported that an Asian worker, reportedly committed suicide in a plunge of 39 floors from a segment of the world’s tallest skyscraper.
Dubai Police said: “The police operations room received a call about a suicide at the Burj Khalifa today, and CID and investigation teams were immediately dispatched.”
After he jumped, the man hit the metal barriers of the tower, causing some damage before landing.
Investigations showed the man worked at a company inside the Burj Khalifa. Police said statements showed that the man had requested a holiday but it was refused.
The reports cite security officials as saying that the man fell from the 147th floor of the Burj Khalifa and landed on a deck on the 108th floor. It is the first known suicide from the landmark tower, which opened in January 2010.
According to the tower’s owner, Emaar Properties, the half-mile-high skyscraper has 160 habitable stories. An observation deck is located on the 124th floor and a restaurant — billed as the highest in the world — is located just two floors bellow.
Emmar Properties, said in a statement: “At around 9am today, an incident involving a male was reported at the Burj Khalifa site. “The concerned authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide, and we are awaiting the final report.”
A Burj Khalifa resident, on conditions of anonymity, told Emirates 24|7 that the conceirge and staff have been quiet and are not speaking about the matter. There are some balaconies, which are open with just a railing.”
The 147th floor is a commercial floor and is unoccupied. The tower has balconies on the 76th, 124th and 148th floor.
