20/03/2006

Wembley stadium evacuated after roof rafter slips

More than 3,000 workers had to be evacuated from Wembley Stadium today after a rafter dropped from the roof.

According to officials from the GMB union, workers heard an "enormous bang" this morning around 08:30GMT. Multiplex, the construction company which is building the new stadium, confirmed that a rafter in the roof fell 3ft while it was being welded.

Most of the workers were sent home, although some steel workers reportedly remained on site. The GMB union has called for an investigation into the incident.

The deadline for the construction of the new Wembley Stadium has been put back several times. The original handover date was autumn 2005, but this was moved back to January 31, 2006 - and has since changed to March 31.

Earlier this month, it was announced that this year's FA Cup final in May would be played at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff after it emerged that the new £757 million stadium might not be ready on time.

England's two pre-World Cup friendly matches against Hungary and Jamaica, scheduled for late May and early June will now be played at Old Trafford.

It is not yet known what will happen regarding several pop concerts, including Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones and Take That, which are scheduled to take place at the venue in June.

(KMcA/CL)

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