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Three killed after partial stadium collapse at 2014 World Cup venue Three killed after partial stadium collapse at 2014 World Cup venue
(35 minutes later)
Three people have been killed after the collapse of part of the Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, one of the 2014 World Cup venues. Brazil's World Cup preparations suffered a deadly setback on Wednesday when a roof collapsed killing at least two building workers at the São Paulo stadium that is due to host the opening match.
A crane, considered the largest in Brazil at 114ft tall, came down at the back of the stadium, which is still under construction, causing widespread damage. Coming a week before the draw for next year's tournament, the fatalities revive concerns about unsafe infrastructure and the slow pace of construction, which have dogged the hosts for more than a year.
The head of the fire department, Mauro Lopes, said there was the possibility of more casualties. The toll could have been worse had the crane not come down around lunchtime when there were fewer workers around. The accident occurred when workers were trying to install the last section of the roof at the 820 million reais (£218m) Itaquerão stadium, which will be home to Corinthians and stage six World Cup matches, including the host nation's opening fixture at the 70,000-seat stadium on 12 June, 2014, against opponents to be determined at next month's draw as well as a semi-final.
The Brazilian constructors Odebrecht are to issue an official statement on the incident. Instead of slotting into place, the 15-metre-long panel toppled from the crane, killing workers and destroying part of the eastern stand.
The number of casualties is unclear. Odebrecht, the construction company, said two workers had died. The fire department reported three victims and its head, Mauro Lopes, said there was the possibility of more casualties.
The toll could have been worse had the crane not come down around lunchtime when there were fewer workers around. Odebrecht is to issue an official statement on the incident.
The stadium has been evacuated and, according to globo.com, the rescue effort is being led by the fire department with ambulances and a military police helicopter also on hand to help.The stadium has been evacuated and, according to globo.com, the rescue effort is being led by the fire department with ambulances and a military police helicopter also on hand to help.
One worker, Jose Mario da Silva, said: "I walked right underneath the crane on the way to lunch. If it hadn't collapsed at lunchtime, a lot more people would have died." One worker, José Mario da Silva, said: "I walked right underneath the crane on the way to lunch. If it hadn't collapsed at lunchtime, a lot more people would have died."
Police said one of the people killed was a lorry driver who was crushed in the cab of his vehicle outside the construction site.Police said one of the people killed was a lorry driver who was crushed in the cab of his vehicle outside the construction site.
Corinthians issued a short statement, saying: "The board of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista hereby deeply regret the accident earlier in Corinthians Arena. No other information at this time." Corinthians issued a short statement, saying: "The board … hereby deeply regret the accident … No other information at this time."
Fifa has given the tournament organisers until 31 December to have all their 12 stadiums ready and the collapse at the Arena, known locally as the Itaquerao stadium, which was 94% complete, may throw out that deadline. Fifa has given the tournament organisers until 31 December to have all their 12 stadiums ready and the collapse at the Itaquerao stadium, which was 94% complete, may throw out that deadline.
The hosts Brazil are due to play in the opening match at the 70,000 seat stadium on 12 June, 2014, against opponents to be determined at next month's draw. The stadium is also due to stage five further matches, including a semi-final.
The Fifa president Sepp Blatter tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers @Corinthians arena today. Our heartfealt [sic] condolences are with the families."The Fifa president Sepp Blatter tweeted: "I'm deeply saddened by the tragic death of workers @Corinthians arena today. Our heartfealt [sic] condolences are with the families."
Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa general secretary, tweeted: "Extremely shocked by the news from Sao Paulo. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident." Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa general secretary, tweeted: "Extremely shocked by the news from São Paulo. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident."
He added: "We are currently awaiting further details from the authorities, who are investigating this tragic accident."He added: "We are currently awaiting further details from the authorities, who are investigating this tragic accident."
The world governing body said later: "Fifa and the LOC [local organising committee] have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthians Arena site in São Paulo with great sadness. We wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the workers who tragically died today.The world governing body said later: "Fifa and the LOC [local organising committee] have learnt of the death of workers at the Corinthians Arena site in São Paulo with great sadness. We wish to send our heartfelt condolences to the family of the workers who tragically died today.
"The safety of workers is the top priority for Fifa, the LOC, the federal government. 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 safety of workers is the top priority for Fifa, the LOC, the federal government. 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.""The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident."
Fifa said there would be a further update from the governing body once further details of the accident were released by the Brazilian authorities. Fifa said there would be an update once further details of the accident were released by the Brazilian authorities.
The cause will be investigated, but delays may be a contributing factor. Construction was held up for several months earlier this year due to disagreements between Odebrecht and Corinthians, and a dispute with the government over funding. Racing to meet a year-end deadline for all World Cup projects, the stadium was said to be 94% complete on 13 November.
Months before that, Fifa was clearly incensed by the delays. After hearing about the slow progress at the Itaquerão, Fifa's Valcke warned the entire World Cup schedule could be changed.
The latest in a long line of delays and fatalities related to World Cup construction projects is clearly an embarrassment to the hosts, Odebrecht and the responsible for the project.
According to the Folha do São Paulo newspaper, a reporter at the scene was beaten and had pictures of the accident deleted from his cellphone by an Odebrecht engineer and guards overseen by Andres Sanchez, the Corinthians executive responsible for the project.
A Corinthians spokesman told The Guardian the club would not comment on Wednesday's events until it had more details.
Brazil's sports minister, Aldo Rebelo, was appointed in 2011 and recently vowed the World Cup stadiums would be completed in time to satisfy Fifa. The ministry's official Twitter account carried initial reaction to Wednesday's events. "The ministry of sport profoundly laments the accident at the Arena Corinthians and expresses solidarity with the families of the victims," it said.
Elsewhere, other football infrastructure projects have been hit by cost-overruns and failures to meet targetted completion dates.
In Rio de Janeiro, the Maracanã - which will host the final match - was supposed to have been finished at the end of last year after a 1bn reais refurbishment by Odebrecht, but reopening was twice delayed.
A judge attempted to hold up its its first match - a friendly between Brazil and England - in May on the grounds that the site was unsafe, but the game went ahead despite areas with scaffolding, cables and bolts jutting out from concrete.
In Salvador - close to the venue where the World Cup draw will be made on 6 December - a roof partially collapsed at the new Arena Fonte Nova in April because pools of rain proved too heavy for one of the membrane panels.
It is not only the 12 World Cup stadiums that have been affected. In April, a worker was killed during building work at the Palmeiras stadium in São Paulo. Before that, eight spectators were injured when a guardrail gave way at Arena Grêmio Porto Alegre during a match.
Most worryingly, Rio's Engenhão stadium – which will be used for the 2016 Olympics – had to be closed for repairs just six years after it opened due to reports showing winds of 63mph could rip off a roof that is already suffering from corrosion.
A World Cup stadium in Manaus has also suffered delays and is struggling to reach Fifa's year-end deadline.
It remains to be seen what impact Wednesday's accident at Itaquerão will have an the construction schedule.
Corinthians - the favourite club of former president Inácio Lula da Silva - were expected to play their first competitive game at the stadium in early March. Once finished, the ground will have a regular capacity of 48,000 with an additional 20,000 temporary seats for the World Cup.
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