Tower Crane Jib Collapse Critically Injures Two Workers Near Terminal 21 in Bangkok

30 Second Takeaway

Two workers were critically injured on Saturday in Bangkok, Thailand, after the jib of a tower crane collapsed onto the construction site below in the Asok area near the Terminal 21 shopping mall. The incident occurred in the Sukhumvit business district while the crane was supporting construction of a religious building in a densely populated urban environment. Preliminary indications suggest a possible failure of luffing ropes or a pendant line, though investigators have not confirmed the cause. Debris narrowly missed nearby pedestrians and patrons seated outside a restaurant, underscoring the serious public risk posed by crane structural failures in congested city zones. Authorities are now examining whether legal action will be pursued against contractors or site management.

Incident Overview

Asok District, Bangkok, Thailand

A tower crane jib collapsed during construction activity on Saturday at a worksite near the Terminal 21 shopping mall in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit business district. The crane was reportedly being used in the construction of a religious building in a busy urban corridor with significant pedestrian traffic nearby.

What Happened

Based on information available at the time of publication:

• A tower crane was operating on a construction site in the Asok area of Bangkok

• The crane’s jib suddenly came crashing down onto the job site below

• The jib struck an excavator positioned beneath the crane

• Two workers were critically injured in the incident

• One worker sustained serious injuries to her left leg

• A second worker lost consciousness and required CPR/resuscitation at the scene

• Both injured workers were transported to hospital and remain in serious condition

• Debris from the collapse narrowly missed nearby pedestrians and people seated outside a nearby restaurant or coffee shop

What Is Known

• Equipment involved: Tower crane

• Incident type: Jib collapse / structural failure

• Location: Asok, Bangkok, near Terminal 21 shopping mall

• Work scope: Construction of a religious building

• Injuries: Two workers critically injured

• Public exposure: Debris narrowly missed members of the public

• Damage: Jib failure impacted equipment on site (excavator struck)

• Investigation status: Active investigation underway

Early Observations

While the cause has not been confirmed, early reporting suggests:

• The failure may have involved luffing ropes or a pendant line

• One of the lower jib chords was found fractured, possibly as a result of impact forces during collapse

Investigators are currently examining whether the structural fracture was a contributing factor or a secondary result of the incident.

Why This Incident Was Possible

Tower crane jib collapses are rare but high-consequence events, often associated with mechanical or structural failures in critical load-bearing components.

Potential contributing factors in similar incidents include:

• Failure of pendant lines, luffing ropes, or connection hardware

• Fatigue, wear, or inadequate inspection of jib components

• Improper reeving, tensioning, or maintenance practices

• Sudden dynamic loading or unintended jib movement

• Installation or assembly deficiencies

• Operating in constrained urban environments with limited margin for error

Because tower cranes operate above both workers and the public, any structural failure presents extreme risk beyond the jobsite boundary.

Industry Reminder

Urban crane operations leave little room for error.

A collapsing jib can affect not only workers on site, but also pedestrians, nearby businesses, and public traffic within seconds. The near-miss involving members of the public in this incident highlights the importance of exclusion zones, inspection discipline, and structural integrity monitoring.

Editorial Note

Crane Hub Global reports on crane-related incidents to support industry learning and prevention. This article is based on information available at the time of publication and may be updated as further details emerge from investigators and local authorities.

How Tower Crane Jib Failures Can Be Prevented

Maintain Rigorous Inspection of Critical Components

Pendant lines, luffing ropes, pins, and jib chords must be inspected routinely for wear, fatigue, and corrosion.

Enforce Structural Monitoring and Maintenance Standards

Tower cranes require strict adherence to manufacturer maintenance schedules, particularly in high-cycle urban projects.

Establish Public Safety Buffer Zones

Construction in dense city areas must include enforced exclusion zones to protect pedestrians from overhead risk.

Treat Rope and Connection Systems as High-Risk Failure Points

Rope systems should be replaced proactively, not only after visible deterioration.

Ensure Competent Oversight and Stop-Work Authority

Supervisors and operators must be empowered to halt operations immediately if abnormal sounds, movement, or structural concerns arise.