Scaffold drop accident at Izmit Bay Crossing Bridge construction site
Tokyo, March 25, 2015 – The scaffold, a catwalk (CW) constructed between two main towers of the Izmit Bay Crossing Bridge for the erection of the main cables, has been reported to have dropped down to the sea on March 21, local time. IHI’s affiliate company, IHI Infrastructure Systems Co., Ltd is constructing the bridge.
It is reported that the tension rod connecting the CW to the southern main tower has ruptured and one side of the CW has fallen to the sea. Construction work was not executed on the day due to the bad weather, and no injuries or deaths had been caused from the accident.
IHI Group has established emergency headquarters for the accident, appointing Sadao Degawa, Executive Vice President of IHI as director-general, and Hideya Hata, President of Infrastructure Operations as vice director-general. The headquarter will be in charge for the investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
The impact to the company performance is still under examination, and will be announced as soon as it is clarified.