Updated 17.05
TWO PEOPLE HAVE been killed, and another injured, following an accident at the stadium in Sao Paulo that will host the opening match of next year’s FIFA World Cup, authorities say.
“The initial toll of three has been revised downward to two and one injured person was rushed to hospital,” a police spokesman told AFP.
Reports from the the scene claim that a crane fell across the metallic structure at the Arena Corinthians stadium, still under construction, bringing part of the stand crashing to the ground.
Corinthians, the club who are set to move into the stadium after the World Cup, issued this brief statement on their official website:
“The board of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista greatly laments the accident earlier in Corinthians Arena. No other information at this time.”
Images on the website of Brazilian newspaper Estadão show the aftermath of the damage, as well as a crowd gathered at the scene.
FIFA’s deadline to have all 12 venues ready is next month, but this accident looks set to delay the delivery of the Sao Paulo ground, which was considered to be almost finished before this setback.
Additional reporting by AFP.
- Originally published at 17.00
