4th worker dies at World Cup reformation site in Manaus

02/08/2014 - 20h51

DIÓGENES CAMPANHA
FROM SÃO PAULO

The Amazônia Arena, which will host World Cup matches in Manaus, reported the death of a worker yesterday afternoon assigned to the World Cup stadium project in Amazonas. It was the fourth death recorded in less than a year.

Portuguese technician José Antonio Pita Martins, 55, was killed in an accident during the dismantling of a crane in an area beside the arena. He suffered injuries to his head and chest.

The worker was taken to the Dr. João Lúcio Pereira Machado hospital in the eastern part of Manaus, but had a cardiac arrest during the procedure performed in an attempt to reduce the pressure in his skull.

The cause of the accident is still being determined. A government official who was at the scene told reporters that the heaviest part of the crane was on the ground, where there were bloodstains.

Martins was employed of the Martifer company, based in Portugal, subcontracted by the Andrade Gutierrez construction company to manufacture and install the roof structure.

The crane that he dismounted had been down since January 11th, according to Martifer. In a statement issued by the Amazonas government, the company said it would provide "full assistance to the family ".
The Andrade Gutierrez construction company's counsel in Manaus did not respond to phone calls from reporters.

Governor Omar Aziz (PSD) was to visit the arena work site yesterday morning, but canceled the appointment after the accident, which occurred at 10am (Brasília time).

Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo issued a statement mourning the death of Martins and expressing, "personally and on behalf of the federal government", solidarity with the worker's relatives and friends.

HISTORY OF DEATHS

It was the third death in the Amazônia Arena and the fourth recorded in World Cup related projects in the state since 2013.

Both Raimundo Nonato Lima Costa, in March, and Marcleudo de Melo Ferreira, in December, died from falls occurring at the stadium.

On the same day of Ferreira's death on December 14, José Antonio Nascimento Souza suffered a sudden illness while working on the access to the Convention Center of Amazonas, a project that is part of the complex being constructed for the World Cup.