15 Dec 2013

Worker dies at World Cup construction site

2:58 pm on 15 December 2013

A construction worker has died after falling off the roof of the Arena Amazonia in Brazil.

The Arena Manaus football stadium in Manaus, Brazil.

The Arena Manaus football stadium in Manaus, Brazil. Photo: AFP

His death was confirmed by FIFA and the World Cup organizing committee, which released a statement.

It is the second death at the Manaus venue, which will host England's opening match on 15 June against Italy, plus three other World Cup matches. A 49-year-old worker died there last May.

Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira's death highlighted the safety concerns surrounding Brazil's ability to host the 2014 World Cup as he was the fifth worker to die while building Brazil's 12 World Cup stadiums.

Reuters reports Mr Ferreira died in hospital after a broken cable led to him fall nearly 35 metres.

Fatal accidents have occurred in Manaus, Brasilia and most recently in Sao Paulo, where two people died on 27 November after a crane collapsed in the arena that is to host the opening game.

Another worker died while working on Palmeiras arena in Sao Paulo, but that stadium will not be used in the World Cup.

The tournament will take place in 12 Brazilian cities.