worker's death halts World Cup stadium construction

Rio de Janeiro, May 10 (IANS) There was more trouble for the organisers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as construction at the Arena Pantanal stadium in the Brazilian city of Cuiaba was suspended after the death of a worker.

An investigation was launched Friday following the death of Muhammad Ali Maciel, 32, due to electrocution Thurdsay at the stadium while installing lights, reports Xinhua.

According to local labour ministry chief Jose Almeida, construction has been halted until the company responsible for the work, Etel, proves that health and safety standards were met.

"What happened in this sector can also happen in another because procedures might not have been followed. It's a preventative measure," Almeida said in a statement released by the public ministry of Brazil's Mato Grosso state, whose capital is Cuiaba.

According to the ministry, Maciel was performing "a typical" duty without using appropriate safety equipment at the time of the accident.

The incident has raised fresh doubts about whether Brazil's stadiums will be ready in time for football's showpiece event, which starts June 12.

Apart from ongoing work on its electric and lighting systems, Arena Pantanal is still awaiting the installation of several thousand seats.

Construction work is also ongoing at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium, which will host the tournament opener between Brazil and Croatia, and Curitiba's Arena da Baixada.

Arena Pantanal will host four World Cup group matches, the first being Chile's clash with Australia, June 13.