At least three workers have died after scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in the German city of Hamburg, according to officials.
Others have been injured, including at least one person who is in a critical condition.
The incident happened on Monday morning at the Uberseequartier in the HafenCity district – one of the biggest construction sites in the city.
The scaffolding collapsed from the eighth floor down into a lift shaft.An unknown number of people are still missing – thought to have been buried under the debris.
The fire department initially said five people had lost their lives – but they have now revised that number down.
According to German media, dozens of emergency service staff are at the site, which has been evacuated.
“Currently a very difficult technical rescue operation by fire brigade rescuers is under way,” Philipp Baumann, a spokesman for the Hamburg Fire Department, told German broadcaster ZDF.
“The fire service is working flat out”.
Hundreds of people are currently employed at the construction site – part of a major redevelopment that features offices, houses, hotels and shops.
