Quebec Police Launch Criminal Investigation After Deadly Construction Site Collapse
MONTREAL – Authorities have launched a criminal negligence probe following the deadly collapse of retaining walls at a construction site located north of Montreal on Tuesday.
A worker passed away and two others sustained injuries, while a woman received treatment for shock when the mobile office they were inside collapsed into an excavation pit in Blainville, Quebec.
The police have confirmed that the worker who died was Alexandre Paris, aged 31, an employee of Preco-MSE—a company based in the Montreal area known for designing and executing deep foundation projects. In response, the company extended their sympathies to the decedent’s family and provided psychological assistance to those impacted by this incident among the staff.
“The worker involved was employed as a skilled laborer with Preco-MSE, serving as a subcontractor at the location where the incident took place,” stated the firm in an announcement issued Wednesday through their press relations department.
A different staff member at the company was injured as well, however, their life is not at risk.
Lt. Sara Tousignant from the Blainville police stated that an inquiry is currently taking place to ascertain whether someone might be held legally responsible for the fatality. “It’s important to investigate if there were any instances of human mistake,” she explained on Wednesday.
Around 11 a.m. on Tuesday, authorities were alerted when the support structures of an ongoing construction project collapsed approximately 30 kilometers north of Montreal. The recovery of Paris’s remains from the debris occurred later that night. Emergency teams faced delays as they waited due to instability at the location, making it unsafe for them to approach the area immediately.
One of the lead companies on this initiative, Syscomax, extended their sympathies to the family of the late employee. The development site, known as Project Liria, encompasses a combined residential complex spanning approximately 245,000 square feet alongside Highway 15.
The project encompasses various difficulties, including digging a three-story underground car park under complicated soil circumstances,” stated the firm on their webpage.
Jean-Philip Robitaille, the vice-president of Syscomax, who was contacted by phone on Wednesday, mentioned that all the firm’s work sites are closed down, with staff members convening at their main office in Mirabel, Quebec, which is located north of Montreal. Employees are receiving access to psychological assistance there.
“Currently, our primary emphasis is on our staff and employees,” stated Robitaille.
Robitaille stated that the firm is collaborating with local law enforcement and provincial regulators. Preco-MSE mentioned they are also following suit.
“It’s still too soon to determine the cause of the incident,” stated Preco-MSE.
The Quebec workplace health and safety board, referred to as the CNESST, stated that their inquiry has only just started. “On Tuesday, two inspectors were sent to stabilize the area and collect data to determine the conditions surrounding this incident,” explained Émilie Marcotte, a spokesperson for the organization.
Furthermore, the CNESST has initiated an inquiry to determine the factors behind the incident.
Tousignant mentioned that a portion of Michèle-Bohec Boulevard will stay closed off from vehicles as city engineers assess whether the roadway is secure.
The report from The Canadian Press was initially released on May 21, 2025.
Sidhartha Banerjee, from The Canadian Press