In an unusual accident at the Wan Hai Lines terminal in Taiwan's Kaohsiung Port, a crane operator was killed on November 20th after the vehicle overturned.

The crane was working on renovations around Wharf 81, located in Terminal 5. Wan Hai is spending US$253 million on facility upgrades after taking over the terminal lease from Evergreen Marine Corporation, which has moved its operations to Terminal 7.

At 8 AM local time, as some steel pipes were being hoisted, the lifting cable detached, causing the pipes to plunge into the sea. The impact caused the crane to tip over. The victim, 66, had jumped from the crane as it tilted, but failed to avoid the falling vehicle, which crushed him to death. Paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.

Taiwan's Ministry of Labour has ordered the crane owner to stop operations and is investigating whether the crane owner violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act by failing to provide workers with appropriate protective equipment and measures. If found guilty, the crane owner could face a fine of up to 300,000 yuan.

An official from the Bureau of Labour's Kaohsiung branch, quoted on Taiwanese television, said, "The employer appears to have failed to consider the workspace, the crane's performance, and the weight of the objects being moved when planning in advance and using appropriate work methods, causing a catastrophe."