The owner of Manu’a Store, Manu’a Chen, has declined to comment at this time regarding the electrocution of employees of the Manu’a Store at Tafuna on Saturday.
A resident who was nearby took photos of a crane belonging to a contractor, Apex, lifting beams in front of an old warehouse which was recently acquired by Manu’a, that’s being renovated.
The warehouse is in between the Manu’a Store and what used to be Checkers.
Photos seen by KHJ News show the crane touching the power lines.
A group of Manu’a Store male employees had been seen at the site but how they got electrocuted is not clear.
Iosefa Elia did not survive.
Five others were admitted to the LBJ Hospital.
Two are in the Intensive Care Unit as of this morning, and three others are in other wards.
Elia, who was also an army reservist, leaves behind a young pregnant wife.
When contacted yesterday, the owner of Manu’a Store, Manu’a Chen declined to comment saying it was a difficult and sensitive time.
Chen, who was born in American Samoa to Chinese parents who have lived here for more than 30 years, had apparently not been informed of what happened until later.
He and family members and many employees were at the hospital chapel for the prayer service for Elia.
The tragedy has highlighted the poor state of worker safety in the territory.
Questions have also been raised about the slow response of emergency officials despite all the training that has been held for natural and man made disasters.
KHJ News understands that the US Occupational safety and Health Administration will be investigating the incident.
Acting Commissioner of Public Safety Lei Sonny Thompon says the Criminal Investigations Division is also conducting a probe.
The site has been cordoned off and a 24 hour police security mans it.
