Brazil Stadium Collapse Kills Two

Two people died and one was injured last week when part of the Sao Paulo Stadium in Brazil collapsed.  The stadium is one of the 12 venues that will be used for this summer’s World Cup and is scheduled to host the opening match of the tournament.  The two workers died when a crane collapsed above their vehicle. Luckily, the crane collapse occurred at lunchtime and prevented the death toll from being any worse.  Images of the damage show a collapsed 500-ton metal structure that supported the stadium’s canopy. The failure occurred when the structure was struck by a crane.  As a result of the accident, construction has been suspended for 30 days and this will further cast a shadow on Brazil’s preparations for the World Cup.

Brazil is facing similar criticism about their preparations as South Africa did when they hosted the World Cup four years ago.  FIFA already had a December 31^st deadline for all stadiums to be completed.  The work stoppage makes it unlikely this deadline will be met.  Furthermore, delegates from FIFA and each qualified team will travel to Brazil for the tournament draw that will be held on December 6.  Brazil was awarded the 2014 FIFA World Cup back in October 2007.  Unfortunately the stadium collapse will bring even more negative publicity about Brazil’s infrastructure and the safety of those travelling to watch the games.  Workers have been killed during the construction of three other World Cup stadiums, and currently only half of the 12 stadiums are finished.