Tragedy struck the Swiss town of Lausanne on Friday when a scaffold and transport platform/hoist collapsed, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuring nine others.
The incident occurred in Prilly, a suburb on the northwestern side of Lausanne, where a 19-story building was undergoing a major refurbishment.
The building, entirely covered with façade scaffold, had a transport platform/materials hoist installed. According to initial reports, the platform installation may have been faulty, potentially causing the collapse of the entire corner section of the scaffold. A telehandler was also buried under the debris from the fallen scaffold.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene to provide aid and investigate the cause of the collapse. The police have confirmed that three workers on the site were killed. Among the nine injured, four sustained serious injuries, while five others suffered more minor injuries.
Witnesses described a chaotic and terrifying scene as the scaffold came crashing down. Local authorities have cordoned off the area, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the collapse and to ensure that any potential safety breaches are addressed.
