Scaffold collapses in China and kills worker after ice sculpture melts

ADVERTISEMENT

A giant frozen waterfall set up to welcome the Chinese New Year crushed one man to death and left five seriously injured when it collapsed as it melted in a sudden warm front.

The 30ft high sculpture came crashing down in Haerbin, Hei Longjiang province, north-eastern China, as workers began to dismantle it following the celebrations.

Eyewitness Lin Hu, 43, said: “I was passing by and then I heard a loud crack and then I saw lots of workers on the scaffolding falling off. You could see the ice had started to melt because there was water all over the ground.”

A town spokesman said: “One worker, Mi Xu, died in the collapse. We had just started to get it demolished when it fell apart.”

Most popular ↑

Australia steps up push for scaffolding to gain skilled-trade status

Scaffolding Association Australia has taken its campaign for formal trade recognition and a structured apprenticeship pathway to federal decision-makers in Canberra.

£4.5m scaffolding framework opens for contractors in North East and Yorkshire

Beyond Housing has opened bidding for a £4.5m scaffolding framework covering planned and reactive works across Redcar and Cleveland and parts of North Yorkshire.

London developer fined after required roof scaffold was never provided

A London developer and its director have been fined after unsafe roof work continued despite a subcontractor’s risk assessment identifying scaffolding as a required control.

Celebrity line-up confirmed for 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards

The final celebrity line-up has been confirmed for the...

Bamboo scaffolder recounts dismantling fire-damaged Wang Fuk Court

Hong Kong scaffolder Yip Hon-ying has described how a 30-strong team spent 3 months removing fire-damaged bamboo scaffold from 7 blocks at Wang Fuk Court.

Latest news

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.
- Advertisement -
More from

NASC calls for HSE funding boost and national scaffolding training network

The NASC has called for increased HSE funding, a nationwide network of scaffolding training providers and stronger protections for contractors as it launches its updated 2026 manifesto.

£4.5m scaffolding framework opens for contractors in North East and Yorkshire

Beyond Housing has opened bidding for a £4.5m scaffolding framework covering planned and reactive works across Redcar and Cleveland and parts of North Yorkshire.

URTIM supplies scaffolding and formwork for $2bn Ceyhan petrochemical project

Turkish formwork and scaffolding manufacturer URTIM is supplying engineered temporary works systems for the major Ceyhan PDH/PP petrochemical development in southern Türkiye.

London developer fined after required roof scaffold was never provided

A London developer and its director have been fined after unsafe roof work continued despite a subcontractor’s risk assessment identifying scaffolding as a required control.
Latest articles