29.10.2008

11 die in Chinese hoisting accident

11 construction workers have died and 12 injured yesterday on a job site in South West China, after a cable suspended “container” transporting them to their work, fell to the ground after a cable snapped.
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The bridge under construction

The accident occurred in heavy rain on the Furongjiang Bridge, currently under construction near Chongqing city, the container was being used to transport the workers from the bank to the bridge. The container dropped onto the deck of the part built bridge after a wire rope snapped, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
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The scene on the bridge

Nine workers were declared dead at the scene and two died on the way to hospital while eleven of the 12 injured are in serious condition. Work safety officials are currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Vertikal Comment

Reports from the area are still sketchy, but all say that the container carrying the 23 men was being lifted by a crane. However we can now confiem that it was a cable suspended system - similar to a aerial ropeway/gondola.