Most of construction workers on site were Portuguese or Albanian
Two Portuguese construction workers have been confirmed today as among four fatalities recovered from the wreckage of the collapse of a massive scaffolding installed on a 19-storey building in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 60-metre high structure came crashing to the ground early this morning (around 9.30am local time) when workers will all have started for the day.
The accident may have been caused by a skip falling from a truck, which ‘dragged the scaffolding down’. This has not yet been officially confirmed, it is simply a theory put forward by Swiss local press.
Vaud public prosecutors office has opened a criminal inquiry, to determine exactly what happened, and why.
According to local reports, workers on the construction site were mainly Portuguese and Albanian.
Apart from the four killed, another eight have had to be treated for injuries – their nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
The area surrounding the accident was sealed off and 180 police, firefighters, first responders and psychologists converged rapidly on the scene.
As for the other two fatalities, one was described as Albanian, the other has yet to be identified.
Of those injuries, four are said to be in a serious condition, the others suffering moderate to light injuries.
According to the Swiss press, a sports complex near the site of the accident has been used to help the injured.
Source: SIC Notícias
