At least six killed in South Korea crane accident

[SEOUL] At least six Samsung workers building a $500 million ocean platform for French energy giant Total were killed in a shipyard crane accident, South Korean authorities said Tuesday.

Two cranes collided at the shipyard in the southeastern port of Geoje, causing a 60m, 32-tonne crane section to break and crash onto a workers' rest area below.

Six people were killed and 25 injured in what police described as "chaotic" scenes on Monday.

All those involved were working on the Total project, which was ordered in December 2012 and is destined for its Martin Linge field off Norway.

The shipyard is operated by Samsung Heavy Industries, part of the sprawling Samsung Group, South Korea's largest conglomerate.

Yonhap news agency quoted a company official as saying it had not had such a big accident for "several years".

It is the latest blow to the corporate empire, the heir to which is currently on trial for bribery in connection with the scandal that brought down president Park Geun Hye.

A Samsung Heavy Industries spokesman told AFP the Total project, which was due for delivery by mid-June, "may be delayed a little bit".

Police said 12 crane drivers were under investigation as they look into potential operational mistakes or violation of safety regulations.

AFP