Nine workers at a waste incineration facility in the state of Pune, in western India, lost their lives when a massive pile of waste collapsed due to torrential rains, the company announced today.

The accident occurred last Wednesday when a mountain of trash intended for incineration to generate electricity collapsed onto a building at the facility, explained Antony Waste Handling Cell.

Of the 23 people who were buried alive, nine were recovered dead, the company added. Three others remained hospitalized today, according to the Times of India.

Pune: One body recovered from the debris of the Moshi building collapse; the NDRF continues rescue operations. pic.twitter.com/lKeZOdIIhh

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The accident was caused “the relentless rains, which destabilized” a mass of waste weighing millions of metric tons and caused “structural damage” to a building, according to the company.

Operations at the plant have been suspended until further notice.

Floods and landslides are phenomena that frequently affect India during the summer monsoon season. According to scientists, climate change and global warming are exacerbating their intensity and frequency.

Source: APE-MPE