BRAZIL: Concern in Brazil after crane collapses at a World Cup stadium in Sao Paulo

Record ID: 644481

  • Title: BRAZIL: Concern in Brazil after crane collapses at a World Cup stadium in Sao Paulo
  • Date: 28th November 2013
  • Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (NOVEMBER 28, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS AERIALS OF THE DAMAGED CORINTHIANS STADIUM AFTER CRANE COLLAPSE
  • Embargoed: 13th December 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Accidents,General,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA23KZTAZR4FR9RAZFET65L9TMM
  • Story Text: A day after a deadly accident at Sao Paulo's World Cup stadium killed two construction workers it remains unclear when construction will resume and some have begun questioning whether the Arena Corinthians will be ready on time for soccer's greatest tournament.
    Two workers were killed on Wednesday (November 27) when a crane collapsed at the stadium which is slated to host the opening match of next year's World Cup on June 12.
    The crane was placing part of the roof on the stadium, which according to its website was 94 percent complete, when it suddenly collapsed killing two, damaging the exterior and immediately halting construction.
    The incident casts yet another shadow over Brazil's preparations for the World Cup, which have been plagued by delays, accidents, cost overruns, and public anger over government waste that contributed to massive nation-wide street protests last year.
    "The image is a little troubling. Some people are already critical when it comes to the World Cup, saying it is a waste of money and all. And when someone dies the repercussions are always bad," said Rio de Janeiro resident Elisson Cantanide.
    Workers have now been killed at three World Cup stadiums - in Sao Paulo, Brasilia, and Manaus.
    "They (construction workers) were at lunch and some of them were still working. Imagine if it wasn't lunch hour. The accident would have been worse. And I don't think there is time to finish the job before the World Cup," another resident, Valdenir Braga said.
    Officials have expressed worries about facilities in Manaus and Cuiaba being ready by a December deadline, and Wednesday's accident seems likely to delay Sao Paulo as well, though it's unclear for how long.
    On Wednesday Odebrecht SA, the industrial conglomerate building the stadium, said it planned to restart work at the site on Monday (December 2), but the union representing the workers said construction could be frozen for up to 30 days while authorities investigate.
    "With or without this accident, the responsibility someone in charge of a job this big has is huge. Their first responsibility is the safety of the people involved. Without a doubt they took all necessary measures. But tragedies happen, in Brazil and everywhere else in the world," a consultant to the United Nations for the 2014 World Cup, Pedro Trengrouse, told Reuters on Thursday.
    Construction workers had been racing to finish the stadium in Brazil's biggest city, prior to the December deadline imposed by world soccer body FIFA.
    It was not clear if the damage would pose a major delay to opening the stadium, but Trengrouse said there was still a lot of time before the June 12 opener here.
    "Until the stadium is completed, there is, without a doubt, a risk (it will not be ready for the World Cup). The stadium was almost ready and we have until June of next year to get back to work and finish the stadium. I sincerely believe that there won't be a problem with Sao Paulo holding the opening of the World Cup. And even if there is some problem, FIFA has several options throughout Brazil to move the games and assure the World Cup goes on without any problems," added Trengrouse.
    The Sao Paulo stadium is formally called Arena Corinthians but is known locally as Itaquerao for the area where it is located.
    The state prosecutor's office said in a statement that it would begin an investigation but it would request a suspension of construction "only if technical elements indicate it is necessary."
    Condolences poured in from FIFA and other authorities.
    The Itaquerao stadium, on the gritty east side of Sao Paulo, was originally budgeted at 350 million reais ($152.2 million) but that shot up to over 1 billion reais after local authorities decided to hold the prestigious opening match there.
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