Related videos:
Jorge Esteban Rojas Rodríguez, a 29-year-old Cuban man, lost his life this Monday when a concrete wall from a house he was working on as a construction laborer in Miami fell on him.
The tragic incident occurred around 11 a.m. at a residence under renovation located at 2907 SW 22nd Avenue in the Coconut Grove neighborhood, according to the Miami Police, which revealed the victim's identity in the afternoon.
Aerial images broadcast by various television channels showed the construction site where the collapse occurred, with Rojas's body still lying covered by a yellow tarp.
The videos also captured the moment when the young Cuban's wife and other family members arrived at the scene, completely devastated.
“We received a call from a worker who was at a house under construction, where a wall fell on one of the workers,” said Mike Vega, spokesperson for the Miami Police to Telemundo 51. “Unfortunately, even though they tried to remove all the bricks, the entire wall on top of him, they were unable to save his life.”
Vega revealed the identity of the victim, who was about to turn 30 years old next Monday, November 24.
"It is unfortunate, and we are investigating the case, but it seems that this was a horrible incident that took this man's life," he lamented.
Rojas was originally from Holguín and had arrived in the United States in February 2024.
Residents in Coconut Grove reported that just before 11, they heard a noise and approached the property.
"I heard a scream, but a very strange scream. Apparently, the boy was working on the wall and something fell on him, killing him," said a neighbor identified as Joe Olozaga.
He commented that the house was going to be rebuilt. "To maintain it, you have to keep about 50% of the original walls. When it's a house like that, you need to reinforce the walls, and maybe he was in that process and the wall collapsed on him, poor thing," he expressed.
According to Telemundo 51, the construction work reportedly began less than a month ago.
He also revealed that a representative from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) arrived at the site and spoke with the construction workers. The house was closed for safety reasons while the investigation is underway.
The company responsible for the construction of the house where the fatal accident occurred is J&M Primos Construction, revealed Univision 23.
Authorities are investigating what may have caused the collapse that ultimately claimed the life of the young Cuban.
Filed under: