Sao Paulo's Arena Corinthians, known locally as the Itaquerao, sustained significant damage Wednesday afternoon after a 500-ton metal structure cut its way through the building’s outer walls.
Some of the seats and a massive LED panel running across the stadium’s façade were damaged when a crane collapsed on top of the metal structure, causing the deadly domino effect.
Two people were confirmed dead, said former Corinthians president Andres Sanchez. Local media reports added that a third person was hospitalized and in serious condition.
The accident occurred during lunchtime when many workers were off-site.
Experts said the stadium was nearly finished before the collapse and could further delay delivery of the venue. FIFA has stated that all 12 World Cup venues must be ready by the December deadline.
One worker died during construction of a stadium in the capital Brasilia last year, while another person died in the Manaus venue in March.
Also in March, heavy rains flooded the construction site of the Maracana Stadium.
In May, the roof at the Salvador stadium collapsed after a part of it failed to sustain a large amount of water that settled on top of it.
The Sao Paulo stadium costs approximately USD 360 million and is slated to seat nearly 70,000 people for the World Cup opener on June 12, when Brazil will play.
The venue will host five other matches, including a semifinal.
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