One killed in Sao Paulo monorail collapse just three days before World Cup

Image from Twitter

A part of a monorail collapsed in Brazil’s biggest city just days before the start of the World Cup, killing a construction worker.The man is believed to have been working on an extension to Sao Paulo’s metro network near Congonhas airport when he was hit by a large concrete support beam.

The 18km line connecting the airport to the city’s metro was supposed to have opened in time for the World Cup to alleviate congestion but is one of several infrastructure projects that have fallen behind schedule.

Sao Paulo is one of the most populated cities in the world with around 11 million inhabitants. It will stage the opening match of the World Cup on Thursday, when Brazil play Croatia at the Arena Corinthians. However, preparations have been hampered by a strike by subway staff over wages that has paralysed parts of the network and led to protests in the city.

Police fired tear gas at a group of around 150 workers who set fire to piles of rubbish as they blockaded part of the business district.The employees have since voted to suspend the strike and return to work, although they have threatened to walk out again on the day the World Cup starts.

The build-up to the football tournament, the first to be held in Brazil since 1950, has been beset by delays and cost overruns. Eight workers have been killed while working on the 12 host stadiums, including three in Sao Paulo.

In a statement on the union's website, they said they would hold a vote Wednesday to determine whether to resume the strike Thursday - the day the city hosts the World Cup's opening game.

SP: Acidente no monotrilho do Metrô também deixou duas pessoas feridas http://t.co/p9qQbfh1E0 pic.twitter.com/CiU5PU70QK

— Estadao (@Estadao) June 9, 2014