Kobe shipyard

Kawasaki apologises for crane deaths
Three killed after shipyard crane collapses.





Kawasaki Shipbuilding have issued a statement apologising for the incident and expressing their sympathies with those suffering. Three men were killed after the crane collapsed at the Kobe shipyard on Saturday, August 25th.

Four more were injured in what the company described as a 'serious disaster'.

The company said it would investigate the causes of the collapse and that they expected perfection in workplace safety but also to ensure it never happened again.

Japanese press reported that parts of the crane had not being moving properly prior to the collapse and that whilst remedial work was being undertaken, the crane's jib snapped.

Meanwhile in England, a shipyard also suffered a partial collapse of a crane, but this time with no injuries or fatalities.

On Thursday 23rd August a fire broke out on a 150 foot crane at the A&P Tyne shipyard, Hebburn. The jib of the crane collapsed.

The crane, worth between £2m to £3m will in all likelihood be written off. Firefighters believe that an electrical fault started the blaze and malicious intent has been ruled out.

Production at the yard resumed as normal.