Two die as World Cup stand collapses

Two people were confirmed dead by local authorities in Sao Paulo yesterday, as a crane collapsed onto part of a stand at the newly-constructed Itaquerao arena.

The stadium is due to host the opening ceremony at next summer’s World Cup as well as six matches during the tournament including a semi-final.

The news comes as pressure grows over Fifa’s deadline for all 12 World Cup stadiums to be completed before the end of the year, although the Itaquerao wasn’t seen as problematic in that regard before yesterday, with authorities saying that 94% of the ground was fully built at the time of the accident. It was expected to be fully finished by January 4 or 5 but that date will be pushed well back as inspectors review the damage.