Burj Khalifa suicide named as Arabtec employee
Athiraman Kannan died after jumping from the 147th floor of the world’s tallest tower
Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest tower, standing 828m high
A man who committed suicide by hurling himself from the Burj Khalifa has been named as an employee of Dubai building firm Arabtec.
Athiraman Kannan, a 38-year-old Indian, died after jumping from the 147th floor of the world’s tallest tower at around 9am on Tuesday morning.
According to a statement from the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Kannan had been employed by Arabtec as a cleaner in the Burj Khalifa.
Unconfirmed media reports said Tuesday Kannan had jumped after a dispute with his employer.
A spokesperson for Arabtec, which co-built the Burj Khalifa, was not immediately available to comment.
Kannan, from the state of Tamil Nadu, died on impact after landing on the deck of the 108th floor. His family have been informed of his death, the Indian Consulate said Wednesday.
“Investigations on this death are currently are being undertaken by the police authorities,” the consulate said in a statement to Arabian Business.
Emaar, the developer behind the Burj Khalifa, confirmed the incident and said it was awaiting the findings of an investigation into the man’s death.
“The concerned authorities have confirmed that it was a suicide, and we are awaiting the final report,” the company said in an emailed statement Tuesday.
Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest tower, standing 828m high. It is the first recorded suicide at the iconic building, which opened to the public in January 2010.
