CONSTRUCTION HOIST FALLS, 15 DEAD

FIFTEEN workmen were killed in Harare on Thursday when a construction hoist dropped 17 floors to the ground. Government inspectors have launched an investigation into what is being described as one of Zimbabwe’s worst construction accidents. The hoist carrying the men and construction materials fell more than 67 meters to ground level shortly after 7.30 am at the new Millennium Towers skyscraper, being built by John Sisk contractors for the Central Africa Building Society. Police with dogs and batons controlled grieving relatives and onlookers who rushed to the scene as news of the accident spread. All occupants of the hoist were killed outright. Their colleagues were sent home for the day. The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Thursday condemned the crash as a reflection of “low and deteriorating health and safety standards”. The National Social Security Authority reported 20000 industrial accidents in all sectors last year.