Death toll rises after construction scaffolding collapse in Japan

A third worker has died following the collapse of approximately 40-meter-high scaffolding at a demolition site in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.

One worker, believed to have fallen into the ocean, remains missing, Caliber.Az report, citing Japanese media.

The incident occurred on April 7, around 16:25, at the East Japan Works steel complex operated by JFE Steel.

Five men, aged from their teens to 40, fell from scaffolding and part of a crane being dismantled at the site.

Two of the deceased have been identified as Kenshiro Chiba, 19, and Yu Koike, 29.

A third worker was unconscious and in critical condition while being transported to hospital.

Police and local fire authorities reported that the accident was caused by a massive 500-ton counterweighted crane that slipped and collided with the scaffolding.

At the time, strong wind warnings were in effect in Kawasaki.

A 65-year-old fisherman from the opposite shore said he heard a loud metal crash and saw a cloud of dust.

The accident took place at the plant on the artificial island of Ogishima, south of JR Ogimachi Station.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov