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Building collapse is investigated | Building collapse is investigated |
(10 minutes later) | |
An investigation is under way after six people were injured when part of a building collapsed in Belfast. | An investigation is under way after six people were injured when part of a building collapsed in Belfast. |
Eyewitnesses said a floor gave way as concrete was being poured onto the top of a six-storey office block under construction in Victoria Street. | Eyewitnesses said a floor gave way as concrete was being poured onto the top of a six-storey office block under construction in Victoria Street. |
They said some workers fell about 30ft and had to be pulled free from falling steel girders, scaffolding and rubble in the accident on Monday at 1040 GMT. | They said some workers fell about 30ft and had to be pulled free from falling steel girders, scaffolding and rubble in the accident on Monday at 1040 GMT. |
Five of the workers are in serious but stable conditions. | Five of the workers are in serious but stable conditions. |
The sixth is understood to have less serious injuries. | The sixth is understood to have less serious injuries. |
It is believed that up to 60 people were working on the site at the time of the accident. | It is believed that up to 60 people were working on the site at the time of the accident. |
The fire service used specialist dogs to search the rubble, but no-one else was found. | The fire service used specialist dogs to search the rubble, but no-one else was found. |
The accident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. | The accident is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. |
Only one lane of Victoria Street is open and it will stay like this throughout Tuesday morning to allow health and safety officers to carry out their investigation. | |
It looks like the supports underneath the building gave way, which caused machinery to fall on top of the workers Brendan Collins | It looks like the supports underneath the building gave way, which caused machinery to fall on top of the workers Brendan Collins |
The accident happened close to the back of the Royal Courts of Justice in the centre of Belfast where new offices are being built for the Northern Ireland Law Society. | The accident happened close to the back of the Royal Courts of Justice in the centre of Belfast where new offices are being built for the Northern Ireland Law Society. |
Nine fire engines and a specialist fire crew, as well as ambulances crews and police officers attended the scene. | |
Brendan Collins, 23, was beside the building when the scaffolding crashed to the ground. "It looks like the supports underneath the building gave way, which caused machinery to fall on top of the workers. | Brendan Collins, 23, was beside the building when the scaffolding crashed to the ground. "It looks like the supports underneath the building gave way, which caused machinery to fall on top of the workers. |
"I helped to rescue them. I ran in with four or five other fellas and lifted the machinery off one of them. He was covered in blood and completely crushed." | "I helped to rescue them. I ran in with four or five other fellas and lifted the machinery off one of them. He was covered in blood and completely crushed." |
A workman said: "I was in the cellar at the time. It was like a bomb going off. We all ran. It was all rubble. We helped the men that were trapped. It was all we could do. I'm in a state of shock myself." | A workman said: "I was in the cellar at the time. It was like a bomb going off. We all ran. It was all rubble. We helped the men that were trapped. It was all we could do. I'm in a state of shock myself." |
About 60 people were working on the site Mobile phone footage | About 60 people were working on the site Mobile phone footage |
Kris Mills, who works nearby, told BBC News that he was outside at the time and heard a loud crash. | Kris Mills, who works nearby, told BBC News that he was outside at the time and heard a loud crash. |
"I saw them pulling two people out who just looked in shock, but as soon as emergency services arrived we were moved back from the scene," he said. | "I saw them pulling two people out who just looked in shock, but as soon as emergency services arrived we were moved back from the scene," he said. |
In a statement, Turkington Construction which was working on the site, said it "deeply regrets the incident which took place today at Law Society house. | In a statement, Turkington Construction which was working on the site, said it "deeply regrets the incident which took place today at Law Society house. |
"We are now working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the causes of the incident and to ensure the site is secured to the public and our workforce." | "We are now working closely with the Health and Safety Executive to investigate the causes of the incident and to ensure the site is secured to the public and our workforce." |