Football
Associated Press 8y

Qatar launches probe into construction sites for 2022 World Cup

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Qatar has launched an investigation after heavy rains exposed poor construction following a deluge that saw water cascade through the roof of its $15 billion main airport.

The country is set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The investigation is already looking into the work of five unnamed companies and others could be targeted as well in the probe launched by Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, who also serves as interior minister, the country's state-run Qatar News Agency said.

"Parties responsible for dereliction or negligence, whether governmental or private, will be held accountable," the agency said, citing a statement late Wednesday from Qatar's Government Communication Office.

Reached for comment, officials at Doha's Hamad International Airport issued a statement simply saying: "There was no impact to operations yesterday." It referred other questions to the government.

The day before, at least 79.5 millimetres (3.13 inches) of rain fell at the airport, according to the Qatar Meteorology Department. Typically, the hot, desert country sees around 50 millimetres (1.97 inches) of rain in a year.

Online video captured the sudden rainfall pouring out of the airport's ceiling in several places.

Qatar opened Hamad International Airport in April 2014, as part of their effort to enter the competitive Gulf airline market. The 600,000 square metre (6.5 million square feet) passenger terminal complex was scheduled to be completed in 2009.

The airport is part of a multibillion-dollar building boom in Doha ahead of the 2022 World Cup. However, the push has seen Qatar criticised for the way it treats its large migrant worker population. There also have been additional accusations of shoddy construction.

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