Brazil was hit by the seventh World Cup-related death Saturday "after a worker fell at the stadium which will host the championship's opener in Sao Paulo," according to Emily Kent Smith of the London DAILY MAIL. Firefighters said that the worker "fell from about 50 feet." The press office of the Hospital Santa Marcelina in Sao Paulo "confirmed the death, saying the worker did not survive serious head injuries." Details on the accident were not immediately released, but Fast Engenharia said that the man "was wearing all the required safety equipment at the time of the fall." Brazil Sports Minister Aldo Rebelo released a statement "lamenting the death and saying officials were awaiting results from an investigation into what happened" (DAILY MAIL, 3/30). BLOOMBERG's Panja & Spinetto reported the worker, Fabio Hamilton da Cruz, was "installing temporary seating at the Corinthians Arena." Workers "are rushing to finish projects at several of the 12 sites" that will host games during the monthlong tournament. Almost every stadium "has missed deadlines" and three venues remain unfinished (BLOOMBERG, 3/29). REUTERS' Andrew Downie reported fatal accidents "have also occurred in Manaus and Brasilia." The Corinthians Arena "is among the most expensive of Brazil's 12 World Cup venues and was one of the last to get started." It is designed to seat 48,000 people but another 20,000 seats "are being added for use during the finals" (REUTERS, 3/29).
VALCKE VISIT: The AP's Stephen Wade reported FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said "time is flying" toward the World Cup and getting three stadiums finished at the last minute presents "risks" with insufficient time to test the venues. Valcke, responsible for ensuring Brazil is ready in 11 weeks, "met this week in Rio de Janeiro with organizing committee officials." Wrapping up the visit on Thursday, "he assured that stadiums in Curitiba, Cuiaba and Sao Paulo would be ready when the World Cup opens on June 12 in Sao Paulo." Valcke: "We are late and we will have challenges. And we will have a lot of work, and potentially some risks coming at the last minute because we have not tried and tested all the facilities" (AP, 3/27).
