MUSCAT: Ministry of Manpower on Wednesday said it is taking legal action against the construction company after six expat workers, believed to be Indian nationals, were killed when they were buried at an excavation site of a water pipeline project in Seeb due to heavy rains.

In a statement issued online, the Ministry said it is closely following up the incident with relevant authorities. “Procedures are underway to take the necessary legal actions towards the competent company,” Ministry said. 

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy said that they are in close contact with the officials to ascertain the full facts of the incident. It took rescue workers about 12 hours to recover the bodies after pumping the water out, according to the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance.