Japan Kawasaki Industrial Accident: 3 Dead, 1 Missing After Crane Counterweight Falls
A serious industrial accident occurred at JFE Steel's East Japan Steel Works in Kawasaki, Japan, resulting in 3 deaths and 1 missing person. A 500-ton crane counterweight fell during dismantling, causing a scaffold collapse. Investigations are underway into safety management.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 15:02
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 16:00 (58 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 11:40 (283h 39m after Collected)
According to Yomiuri Shimbun, the specific location was the Keihin District of the East Japan Steel Works in the Shiohama area of Kawasaki City, Kawasaki Ward. The accident occurred around 4:15 PM yesterday, during the dismantling of a large crane.
The Kawasaki Port Police Station explained that five workers were caught in the collapse. Three died after being taken to the hospital, and one is still receiving treatment with severe injuries.
The counterweight, weighing 500 tons, with a diameter of 6 meters and a length of 9 meters, fell for an unknown reason while they were dismantling the upper part of the large unloading crane.
The Kawasaki Port Police Station also stated that the counterweight was about 30 meters above the ground, and its interior was concrete. The fall of the counterweight also caused the scaffolding to collapse, likely causing the workers to fall. It is reported that the missing worker was on top of the counterweight at the time, using heavy machinery to remove concrete.
The Kawasaki Port Police Station speculates that the impact of the counterweight falling may have created a large hole in the steel plate base, and the workers might have fallen into the sea.
Near the collapsed scaffolding, heavy machinery was seen to have fallen. People nearby could also see the sea surface through the hole.
The Coast Guard (equivalent to the Coast Guard) dispatched patrol boats and helicopters this morning to search for the missing workers.
Police are investigating whether there were any safety management issues at the construction site. (Compiled by: Yang Weijing) 1150408
Keywords: International
The Kawasaki Port Police Station explained that five workers were caught in the collapse. Three died after being taken to the hospital, and one is still receiving treatment with severe injuries.
The counterweight, weighing 500 tons, with a diameter of 6 meters and a length of 9 meters, fell for an unknown reason while they were dismantling the upper part of the large unloading crane.
The Kawasaki Port Police Station also stated that the counterweight was about 30 meters above the ground, and its interior was concrete. The fall of the counterweight also caused the scaffolding to collapse, likely causing the workers to fall. It is reported that the missing worker was on top of the counterweight at the time, using heavy machinery to remove concrete.
The Kawasaki Port Police Station speculates that the impact of the counterweight falling may have created a large hole in the steel plate base, and the workers might have fallen into the sea.
Near the collapsed scaffolding, heavy machinery was seen to have fallen. People nearby could also see the sea surface through the hole.
The Coast Guard (equivalent to the Coast Guard) dispatched patrol boats and helicopters this morning to search for the missing workers.
Police are investigating whether there were any safety management issues at the construction site. (Compiled by: Yang Weijing) 1150408
Keywords: International