On September 1st, a tower crane at a construction site under construction collapsed during dismantling, causing at least 5 fatalities. The incident took place in the Third Engineering Limited Company of China Railway 22nd Bureau Group in Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province.
According to the notification from the Housing Construction and Transportation Bureau of Chenghua District, the accident occurred in the morning of September 1st, resulting in 1 immediate death and 4 others later succumbed to their injuries after being hospitalized. The site has been shut down for investigation.
Online videos show the tower crane severely deformed after falling to the ground, with one individual suspected to be trapped at the top of the tower. A netizen from Sichuan commented in a video section that their relative was among those involved in the accident, emphasizing the tragic outcome of the incident.
Public information indicates that the Third Engineering Limited Company of China Railway 22nd Bureau Group was established in 1993 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Railway 22nd Bureau Group under China Railway Construction Corporation. China Railway 22nd Bureau Group Limited Company, established on July 8, 1998, primarily engages in construction activities, with Zhao Hongying as its legal representative. Meanwhile, China Railway Construction Corporation is a super-large state-owned construction enterprise established under the supervision of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, with a registered capital of 9 billion yuan.
Prior to this incident, a major accident occurred on August 22nd at the Jiaozha Yellow River Bridge along the Qinghai section of the Chuanqing Railway constructed by China Railway. The accident involved the breaking of steel cables, resulting in 12 fatalities and 4 individuals missing. The consecutive accidents involving China Railway have sparked concern among the public.
Many netizens expressed their discontent with the situations involving China Railway, mentioning concerns about subcontracting practices and safety issues within state-owned enterprises. The incidents have raised questions about the working conditions and safety standards in the construction industry.
Some netizens pointed out the fatigue and pressure faced by crane operators due to long hours and tight project deadlines, emphasizing the responsibility of both the operators and the companies for ensuring safety measures and adequate equipment. Criticism was also directed towards developers for the construction of excessively tall residential buildings without proper considerations for safety and the well-being of workers.
Currently, videos related to the accident have reportedly been removed from online platforms, raising questions about transparency and information access regarding the incident. Netizens shared that other related videos have been blocked, suggesting potential restrictions on the dissemination of information.