A crane at a stadium in Sao Paulo due to host the opening ceremony of Brazil’s World Cup 2014 has collapsed hitting the roof, reportedly killing at least two people.
The head of the Fire Department, Mauro Lopes, has confirmed the casualties to local radio and said that the death toll might rise. Initially he reported that three people had been killed. Lopes said the incident could have caused more victims, but it took place during lunchtime.
The stadium, currently named the Arena Corinthians or Itaquerao, was due to be completed by the end of December to meet a deadline set by FIFA. A total of 12 venues are required to be ready by the set date.
Local television footage showed huge metal structures lying on top of the stadium, partly destroying the east side of the venue. An LED panel installed outside the venue was also hit.
The Brazilian company, Odebrecht, responsible for the Arena Corinthians stadium is expected to issue an official statement on the incident.
Football’s governing body has issued a statement following the accident, expressing its condolences to the families of the workers.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident,” FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said, adding that he was “extremely shocked by the news from Sao Paulo.”
“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,” FIFA said in a statement. “The local authorities will fully investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident.”
The venue was recently said to be 94 percent ready. The construction of the Arena Corinthians started in May 2011. The stadium was selected to host the opening ceremony and Brazil’s first game at the home World Cup event on June 12, 2014.
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