RAS AL KHAIMAH // Labourers wrecked and set fire to their building site and 17 cars in Ras Al Khaimah, after a worker fell to his death in an apparent suicide.
There was widespread vandalism and arson at the Emirates National School site, but no injuries were reported, according to a local daily.
Police said 17 of the company’s vehicles were set alight by the labourers, along with electricity generators, fuel tanks and offices.
Preliminary investigations suggest the incident on Saturday began when one of the workers died after falling from the fifth floor of a building at the construction site.
A police crowd-control team calmed the men down while Civil Defence fire crews dealt with the burning property.
Maj Gen Ali Al Nuaimi, head of RAK Police, said investigations were continuing and urged labourers to obey the law in resolving disputes.
“There are lawful ways and open channels for workers to reach the governing bodies to help them with solutions. Violence and vandalism are not the way,” Gen Al Nuaimi said.
Early reports of a disturbance at a building site in RAK circulated around social media on Saturday evening.
Pictures of the burning site, which is near Al Ittihad University exit off Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, went viral on Twitter.
Roads in the surrounding areas were blocked by Civil Defence and police during the incident, which lasted through the night.
