VietNamNet Bridge - Seven workers died and another was seriously injured yesterday when a gantry crane collapsed at Cai Lan Port in the northern province of Quang Ninh.

The accident took place at around 1:30 p.m. when a frame suddenly collapsed as it was being installed by workers of the Vietnam Machinery Installation Corporation (Lilama). Twelve workers on the ground were lucky enough to get away in time. Eight were working on the frame when it fell.

Pham Dinh Tuyen, Pham Dinh Thuy, Do Van Luan, Dinh Xuan Huong, Le Van Tien, Phan Van Ngan and Hoang Van Tuan died immediately. The only survivor, Mai Ngoc Thanh, is being treated at the Ha Long City’s Bai Chay General Hospital.

The victims were workers with the Vietnam Machinery Installation Corporation (Lilama). The only survivor, Mai Ngoc Thanh, is being treated at Ha Long City’s Bai Chay General Hospital.

The damage is estimated in hundreds of thousands of dollars.

According to a high-ranking official working at the port, the used gantry crane was one of two imported by the authorities of Cai Lan Port from China for lifting containers on and off ships. They are intended to replace the two damaged by a typhoon in November 2006.

Quang Ninh Port authorities hired Vietnam National Shipping Line’s Falcol Company to transport and erect the gantry crane. The company subcontracted the job to Lilama.

After the accident, families of victims received financial support from Quang Ninh Province, the Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Port and the Vietnam Bank for Investment and Development. 

(Source: SGGP)