06.07.2009

Tower crane goes down in Seoul

A luffing jib tower crane collapsed on Sunday in Seoul, South Korea, falling across a busy railway line, the operator died before reaching hospital, but there were no other injuries.
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The crane took out overhead lines as well

The 50 metre high crane was working on the reconstruction of a five storey apartment building near the Ahyeon Tunnel in Chunghyeon-dong. According to the local police, the crane was lifting several 300kg items, when the tower or its foundation gave way causing it to fall across the lines.

Police questioned the construction site manager, crane manufacturer representatives and witnesses who were at the scene. The crane will then be examined by the National Institute of Scientific Investigation.

The crane caused serious damage to the building and the railway including power lines and overhead gantry that affected other parts of the local rail network.