Two killed as Eastern Cape bridge collapses

Published Nov 14, 2003

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Two workers died and 20 were seriously injured when scaffolding at a Coega bridge construction site collapsed near Port Elizabeth.

It sent 48 workers plunging three storeys as the dense web of scaffolding collapsed while wet cement was being poured into the structure late on Thursday.

The Coega Development Corporation is to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the results of an on-site investigation.

The bridge is being built across a railway line on the site of the Coega industrial development zone. It will connect Coega to the N2.

Ten provincial and private ambulances and five rescue units were dispatched after the 5.45pm accident and took the injured to various hospitals in Port Elizabeth.

Twenty workers were taken to hospital and another 28 were treated on the site for minor injuries.

The bridge is being built by Stefanutti Bressan Civils, which employed all those injured or killed.

Inspector Donevin Lesch of the Labour Department's inspection and enforcement services said the bottom formwork of the bridge had collapsed while wet concrete was being poured into the structure.

According to one of the injured workers, the concrete was too heavy for the scaffold.

The names of the two killed are being withheld until next-of-kin have been informed.

The Coega Development Corporation expressed its regret.

Spokesperson Vuyelwa Viki said there had been an urgent meeting on Thursday night to review the events leading to the accident.

Labour department spokesperson Snuki Zikalala said officials had gone to the scene immediately and halted construction.

They issued a prohibition notice against Stefanutti Bressan.

Zikalala said Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana had instructed his officials to investigate whether the construction company was registered with the Workmen's Compensation Fund and the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

"We welcome the development of Coega, but we will not tolerate companies that put profits before the safety of workers," Mdladlana said.

- In an unrelated incident a week ago, a crane operator working at the Port of Nqura harbour construction site was killed when a bucket containing several tons of concrete broke from the crane and hurtled down, crushing him to death.

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