The tragedy unfolded at the former Sharp Sakai Plant in Osaka, Japan, as firefighters and police rushed to the scene after reports a lift had fallen on a worker
A worker has tragically lost his life on site at a building earmarked for demolition after emergency services received reports that an “elevator fell” on him.
The incident took place at the former Sharp Sakai Plant in Osaka, Japan, at around 8:00am this morning as firefighters and police raced to the scene. Emergency crews initially heard that a lift had fallen onto a 62 year old worker, trapping him underneath. However, when authorities arrived, they found a counterweight connected to the lift had come loose and fatally crushed the man.
Japanese broadcaster Asashi TV reported the counterweight weighed approximately 10 tonnes. Lift counterweights are intended to balance the weight of the lift car.
Demolition work was taking place at the site when the fatal incident happened, with teams apparently in the process of dismantling the lift system. Workers had been on site since 6:00am, reports the Mirror US.
When rescue personnel reached the victim, he had already died from his injuries. The man was not employed by Sharp but was instead a contractor hired for the demolition work.
The former Sharp Sakai Plant once operated as a production facility for LCD panels but is currently being demolished to allow for site redevelopment.
Fire officials informed the outlet they believe the chain connecting the lift car to the counterweight had broken. The precise cause, though, is still unknown.
Officials have opened an inquiry into the deadly incident.
