Deadly fall at German wind site
Fatal fall inside Vestas turbine tower under construction near Frankfurt prompts investigation and work suspension.
Image for illustrative purposes
Germany: Two workers have died after a platform collapsed inside a wind turbine under construction near Frankfurt in the German state of Hesse.
The victims, both 32 years old, were working on a platform positioned in the upper section of a wind turbine tower that was still being assembled. According to initial police reports, the platform fell from a significant height inside the tower for reasons that remain unclear. Emergency services were alerted at around 4.45 am on 25 February after other workers heard a loud crash. Medical teams arrived quickly, but the two men were pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident took place near a federal highway between the villages of Fischborn and Wüstwillenroth. The wind farm is being developed by Hesse Energie and includes nine Vestas V172 turbines.
Vestas confirmed that the deceased were employed by a subcontractor of tower supplier Max Bögl. In a statement, Max Bögl said the accident occurred during work involving a mobile elevating work platform. The company expressed its condolences and confirmed that similar work has been temporarily suspended as a precaution.
An internal health and safety review, supported by an independent expert and authorities, is underway. Police said the exact sequence of events will be reconstructed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Source: Recharge