Osaka, Japan—Three construction workers died Wednesday after a massive scaffolding structure collapsed. The incident happened during an afternoon shift at a downtown project site. The scaffolding was approximately twenty meters high. It gave way without any warning.

Witnesses on the street heard a loud metal-on-metal crash. The structure fell onto the site floor and part of the adjacent sidewalk. Emergency services rushed to the area within minutes. They pulled three bodies from beneath the twisted metal.

The workers were performing welding tasks on an upper level. Initial reports suggest a support beam may have failed due to improper fastening. Inspectors from the labor standards office are already on-site. They are questioning the construction company’s safety officer.

The site is located in a busy business district. Pedestrians were walking nearby when the structure tumbled. Fortunately, no civilians were injured in the collapse. Police cordoned off several blocks to ensure the safety of the public.

Operations at the site have been suspended indefinitely. The company is required to submit a full safety audit to the government before any work resumes. This is the third industrial accident in the city this year. Public criticism is rising against local construction firms.

The identities of the workers are being kept private until their families are notified. The company released a short statement apologizing for the incident. They have pledged full cooperation with the official police investigation.

Engineers are currently stabilizing the remaining sections of the building. They must ensure that no other parts of the site are at risk of falling. The area will stay closed to traffic for the next few days.

This accident has prompted the mayor to call for an emergency safety check at all major construction sites in Osaka. Inspectors will begin visiting other projects on Thursday morning. The investigation into the structural failure will likely take several weeks.