20.10.2008

Launching crane collapses in Delhi

A bridge launching crane, collapsed yesterday in Delhi, India, dropping a 400 tonne bridge section onto several cars and a bus travelling on the road below, killing two and injuring 17 others.

The crane was working on the extension to the Delhi metro system in Laxmi Nagar of east Delhi, and is the third crane accident in as many months. A Blueline bus took the most direct hit, killing the driver instantly several other cars were also hit, and it is incredible that more people did not die.
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The scene yesterday morning

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said the incident happened due a technical fault with the launcher crane, blaming metal fatigue, although it is far too early to cite this as a cause.
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Part of the wreckage

The accident appears similar to one that occurred on a new bridge for I280 in Toledo Ohio in 2004. To see original reports click here In that accident it was determined that the crane had not been properly anchored to the bridge piers.