Three workers died and four were injured yesterday after the scaffolding collapsed at the Galaxy Macau construction site in Cotai, the Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL) said in a statement last night.

The statement said that the accident occurred at a lift shaft at 4 p.m. yesterday. A preliminary investigation discovered that seven male construction workers from the mainland were clearing debris in the lift shaft when part of the scaffolding there suddenly collapsed, trapping the workers.

The seven construction workers are from Anhui, Hunan and Sichuan provinces, aged between 19 and 54.

According to information provided by Fire Services Bureau (CB), one victim was able to climb out of the lift shaft himself after being trapped, and firefighters pulled out six workers, three of whom were not breathing and without heartbeat, and three with minor injuries who were rushed for emergency treatment to the public Conde de S. Januário Hospital centre.

The firefighters told reporters there was a bamboo shed where the accident took place. Due to the narrow space and the piles of wood, the firefighters had to arrange for special ambulance teams to go to the scene, and medical staff from the public hospital as well as officials from the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) and DSAL also rushed to the scene to assist. The firefighters described the entire rescue process as difficult and complicated.

The DSAL statement said that the bureau had sent its deepest condolences to the families of the dead, adding that the bureau would assist in arranging compensation packages and send staff to the site to carry out follow-up investigations.

The statement also said that the bureau had meanwhile notified the project’s contractors to stop all work on the construction site.

An ambulance arrives at the Galaxy Macau construction site yesterday afternoon. Photo: Iong Tat Choi