The State Railway of Thailand has halted construction of the Red Line electric railway after three workers were killed when a huge crane used for lifting concrete beams collapsed at a construction site in Don Muang district of Bangkok on Friday night.
The SRT plans to set up a committee to investigate Italian-Thai Development Plc, the contractor for the Bang Sue-Rangsit Red Line rail project, over the collapse of the crane.
SRT governor Anon Luangboriboon said the fallen crane was known as a segment launcher and was used for lifting concrete beams. It has not yet been moved out from the site pending an inspection by engineers
For the time being, he has ordered a halt to all construction on the Red Line until safety procedures have been reviewed and can be ensured, Thai media reported on Saturday.
Three construction workers were crushed to death when the huge crane collapsed at the construction site in front of Wat Don Muang on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road in Si Kan area at around 8.40pm on Friday.
Thanet Veerasiri, president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT), said experts were being sent to inspect the site on Saturday. It was possible that some slings might have been ripped off, he said.
Metropolitan police chief Sanit Mahathavorn, who visited the scene on Friday night, said officers would await an examination by engineering experts before deciding whether further action should be pursued against those responsible.
Bangkok police officers question a witness at the site of the crane collapse in front of Wat Don Muang on Friday night. (Photo by Krit Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)
Video by Apichit Jinakul