Two young men from Tyrone and Derry have died in a workplace accident in Australia

It is understood the men, who were in their 20s, were crushed under a concrete panel which toppled from a truck as it was being unloaded at the construction site where they were working.

The incident was reported to have happened on the corner of Goderich Street and Bennett Street in East Perth at about 11.30am, Australian time.

A restaurant owner said as he “heard a noise” as he opened his nearby premises.

“When I went to the other side of the road I saw two slabs on the ground and a person underneath,” Vikas Verma told Perth Now.

“Not the face, but I saw the fluorescent workwear.”

Mr Verma said emergency services were on the accident scene within minutes.

Jaxon Construction said in a media statement said it “sincerely regrets to confirm a serious incident occurred at its Bennett Street apartment site in East Perth at approximately 11.30am today, which resulted in the death of two workers.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to their families, loved ones and colleagues.

“We are co-operating fully with the relevant authorities and will make further announcements as additional information becomes available.

“Site works have been halted until further notice and the site is now in the hands of relevant authorities.”

The company also said the site remained closed and under the control of the coroner and that in its 57 years of operating, there had never been a fatality.

As a mark of respect, all Jaxon sites would be closed on Thursday.

The two men are believed to have been in Australia on work visa, with one due home this Christmas.