Building site lift plummets, killing 17

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-12-28  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AT least 17 workers were killed and another was badly injured after a construction lift plummeted to the ground in central China's Hunan Province yesterday.

It occurred at about 7:30am at a high-rise real estate complex being built in downtown Changsha, the provincial capital, according to the municipal government.

A construction worker, surnamed Xie, said the lift was taking up a load of 18 passengers when it fell. The accident happened just after five workers got off at the 17th floor.

The lift was designed to have a maximum carrying capacity of 12 people.

Construction

Work on the 30th floor of the building had been started only recently and three more floors needed to be completed before the complex was finished.

The project, Shanghai City, was developed by Hunan-based Dongfanghong construction group.

Police detained the company's general manager, project chief, and lift operator, according to Li Xinmin, deputy head of the municipal public security bureau.

The surviving injured worker was taken to hospital but his condition is unknown.

Police and provincial work safety watchdog officials were examining the lift with other experts.