4 construction workers killed in scaffolding collapse in Vienna, Austria

Four construction workers were killed and another was seriously injured after a collapse at a residential building in Vienna, Austria, according to police.

The collapse happened Tuesday afternoon in the inner courtyard of a multi-unit building on Porzellangasse, where several construction workers were buried for reasons that remain unclear, according to Vienna police.

Rescue and recovery operations followed, and one worker was pulled out alive and taken to a hospital. Four others were recovered dead from the rubble.

Austrian outlet Puls24 reported that parts of scaffolding and formwork collapsed at about 2:30 p.m. during concrete work tied to an attic conversion. According to the outlet, the entire structure gave way with the workers on it.

Vienna’s Professional Rescue Service said the surviving worker is a 45-year-old man who suffered life-threatening injuries. Puls24 reported he had severe head and spinal injuries, along with fractures to his arms.

The rescue operation was difficult because some of the building materials had to be removed by hand, according to the outlet. Other construction workers at the scene helped emergency crews rescue the injured man.

Vienna police said the cause of the accident is under investigation. Puls24 reported that police and labor inspectors are questioning witnesses, including the crane operator, who remained in his vehicle.