Three people are believed to have been killed in an accident at a Brazilian football stadium due to host the opening match at next year's World Cup.The final part of the structure was being installed at the Corinthians stadium when a crane apparently crashed into the east side stands.Two workers - Fábio Luiz Pereira, 42, and Ronaldo Oliveira dos Santos, 44 - are confirmed to have died in the tragic accident.Fifa president Sepp Blatter has said he is 'deeply saddened' by reports of deaths.
He added in the statement on Twitter: 'Our heartfelt condolences are with the families.'Television footage showed the twisted metal structure on the ground amid heavy debris.The enormous crane can be seen crushed against a large portion of the stands in pictures taken from the air.
A LED panel installed outside the venue was also hit.The stadium - known locally as Itaquerao - was 94 per cent completed and work was due to end next month.An engineer working on the project told Sky News before the accident that the construction was going to plan and the £218million stadium would be finished by the deadline.The stadium was already eight months overdue, and was due to be completed in March, but now builders have seven months to try and repair the extensive damage.
More than 2,000 people were working on the site, but only a small number of people were at the stadium at the time of the collapse.It is designed to seat 65,000 people during the tournament next summer and host six games, including a semi-final.However it is not immediately clear whether the damage will impact the 2014 competition schedule.A Fifa spokesman said: 'FIFA and the LOC have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthian's Arena site in Sao Paulo with great sadness.'We wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the workers who tragically died today.' Football's governing body added that the 'safety of workers is the top priority' to World Cup organizers.'We know the safety of all workers has always been paramount for all the construction companies contracted to build the 12 FIFA World Cup stadiums.'The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident.'Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke said: 'Extremely shocked by the news from Sao Paulo. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident.Brazilian club Corinthians, which owns the stadium, released a brief statement 'lamenting' the accident.Constructor Odebrecht said it was already investigating what happened.
He added in the statement on Twitter: 'Our heartfelt condolences are with the families.'Television footage showed the twisted metal structure on the ground amid heavy debris.The enormous crane can be seen crushed against a large portion of the stands in pictures taken from the air.
A LED panel installed outside the venue was also hit.The stadium - known locally as Itaquerao - was 94 per cent completed and work was due to end next month.An engineer working on the project told Sky News before the accident that the construction was going to plan and the £218million stadium would be finished by the deadline.The stadium was already eight months overdue, and was due to be completed in March, but now builders have seven months to try and repair the extensive damage.
More than 2,000 people were working on the site, but only a small number of people were at the stadium at the time of the collapse.It is designed to seat 65,000 people during the tournament next summer and host six games, including a semi-final.However it is not immediately clear whether the damage will impact the 2014 competition schedule.A Fifa spokesman said: 'FIFA and the LOC have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthian's Arena site in Sao Paulo with great sadness.'We wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the workers who tragically died today.' Football's governing body added that the 'safety of workers is the top priority' to World Cup organizers.'We know the safety of all workers has always been paramount for all the construction companies contracted to build the 12 FIFA World Cup stadiums.'The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident.'Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke said: 'Extremely shocked by the news from Sao Paulo. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident.Brazilian club Corinthians, which owns the stadium, released a brief statement 'lamenting' the accident.Constructor Odebrecht said it was already investigating what happened.
Culled from mail online news
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