2 carpenters die in 40-meter fall from gondola

LOCAL work-safety inspectors yesterday were still investigating the deaths of two migrant workers who fell off a construction gondola about 40 meters high on Monday.

Two other workers managed to grasp the cradle and were saved by firefighters.

Witnesses said the gondola was swaying in strong winds when the workers fell.

The scene was a construction site in Minhang District, near the crossing of Laobeidi Road and Huaxiang Road.

The workers, carpenters who were helping build the Jiamin Elevated Road, were hired by Shanghai Rongshen Construction Service Co.

The deceased were identified as a Sichuan Province man, 55, surnamed Xu and an Anhui Province man, 33, surnamed Hu.

Witnesses said none of the workers was wearing safety belts and that the green safety net beneath the workers appeared to be loose, exposing an opening.

Police had no comment.

An official with the Minhang District work safety watchdog reportedly told the Website, www.eastday.com, that early investigation showed "obvious flaws in the work-safety management on the construction site."

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