• World Cup

Two dead in World Cup stadium collapse

ESPN staff
November 27, 2013
The Itaquerao Stadium in Sao Paulo will host the opening game of the 2014 World Cup © Getty Images
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Part of the stadium that will host the World Cup opener in Brazil next year has collapsed, causing significant damage.

Wednesday's accident could delay the delivery of the stadium in Sao Paulo by FIFA's December deadline to have all 12 venues ready. The Itaquerao stadium was claimed to be 94% completed before the accident.

Television images showed that a huge metal structure buckled atop the stadium, destroying part of the stands in the east side of the venue. A LED panel installed outside the venue also was hit.

Some local media said the accident occurred when a crane collapsed.

Firefighter official Mauro Lopes said in a radio interview that at least two people died in the accident, which apparently happened when a crane collapsed on top of the metal structure.

A statement on the website of Corinthians - the club which owns the stadium - read: "The board of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista deeply regrets the accident earlier in Corinthians Arena."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter posted on Twitter:

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