28.04.2008

Tower crane collapse in Damascus

A tower crane collapsed yesterday morning in Damascus, Syria as a team of six workers were reported to be replacing it with a larger crane. Four of the six were killed immediately, while the other two were injured.
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The fallen crane, the counterweight slabs can be seen in the foreground

The crane was working on a new building for the ministry of transport in central Damascus. Details we have been sent are minimal and the photos hardly clear enough to figure out what happened, although it is clear that the tower went over close to its base.

It is possible the something has been lost in translation and the crane was being climbed, if you are based locally and can provide further details that might help us understand what went wrong so that others might learn please email [email protected]
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Another view of the scene