Three die as part of Brazil 2014 stadium collapses

Grim news from Brazil where part of the stadium that will host the World Cup opening cermemony in Brazil next year has collapsed, causing significant damage and reportedly killing three people.

Wednesday’s accident could delay the delivery of the stadium in Sao Paulo by FIFA’s December deadline to have all 12 venues ready.

The Itaquerao Stadium was 94 percent completed, but as with all the World Cup projects, had come under enormous pressure to complete the building work ahead of next month’s deadline.

Television images showed that a huge metal structure buckled atop the stadium, destroying part of the stands in the east side of the venue. Local reports said the accident occurred when a crane collapsed.

On Tuesday, Danny Jordaan, the man behind South Africa’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup, said Brazil may have to start working around-the-clock if it was to get things ready for the tournament next summer.

inevitably, today’s tragedy at the Itaquerao Stadium will raise fears about corners being cut in the frantic race to complete the stadiums on time for next year’s World Cup finals.