Building equipment collapses 'like a house of cards'
At a construction site in Switzerland, a crane suddenly collapses and drags a scaffolding into the depths. At least three people have died, and more are still missing. The response teams are having difficulty securing the accident scene.
During the collapse of a construction crane in Switzerland, at least three workers have died. According to the police, during the incident in Prilly, Lausanne, eight other people were injured. The accident occurred on the construction site of a wooden high-rise building, which is part of a shopping complex. The workers were reportedly suddenly pulled into the depths due to the collapse. The building, named "Malley Phare," is almost 60 meters high.
Witnesses told the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA that a freight elevator had collapsed and the entire scaffolding on the north side of the building had been carried away. The building reportedly collapsed "like a house of cards." The authorities made no initial statements about the cause and progression of the accident.
Four of the survivors sustained severe injuries. In addition, "one or two people are missing," said police spokesperson Jean-Christophe Sauterel. The scaffolding was reportedly collapsed along the entire length of the building - "but we don't know the cause." The prosecutor's office has begun investigations.
The police cordoned off the area around the accident site extensively. Fire departments and specialized companies were in action to secure the remaining scaffolding on the three other sides of the 19-story building. Adverse weather conditions were reportedly complicating the work by the police.
The accident at the construction site in Switzerland, involving the collapse of a crane and subsequent loss of life and injuries, has prompted international concern. Despite the ongoing investigations led by the prosecutor's office in Switzerland, the cause of the accident remains unclear in the international community.
