Platform deaths probably due to overloading: police
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The failure of the steel cable or wire rope supporting the platform carrying five workers installing an advertising banner on the exterior of Baiyoke Tower II, killing three men, was possibly caused by being overloaded.
Three workers fell to their deaths from the 68 th floor of the Baiyoke Tower II on Monday after the platform they were on split and parted.
Pol Maj Gen Anuchai Lekbamrung, deputy metropolitan police chief, said the platform broke because it was carrying five persons, thus exceeding its weight capacity. He said the cable supporting the platform parted.
Further investigation is needed before any charges are filed against anyone.
The three men who died were found separately on the terraces of the 18th, 20th and 36th floors. They reportedly worked for Q Advertising.
Gen Anuchai said the owner of the advertising installation company will give a statement and be questioned by police today.
Survivor Ploenjit Kongudom earlier said he and another man survived as they had grasped a handrail of the platform and called for help from persons inside the building.
Pleonjit said he was dangling for more than 10 minutes before someone broke the window to pull him in.
The three men who stood in the middle of the platform plunged to their deaths when the accident occurred.
Ploenjit said that none of them wore any protective sling or safety apparatus, and did not inspect the condition of the platform to see whether it was in good condition before using it.
Baiyoke Tower II is the tallest building in Thailand with 88 floors reaching a height of 304 metres.
The questioning will be aimed at finding the causes of the accident and holding those responsible for the deaths and injured.
