Last night at 8pm, iron scaffolding weighing thousands of tons collapsed on top of hundreds of workers at Son Duong Port, killing at least 16 and injuring 27.

The accident occurred at a port project owned by Samsung C&T Corp, in the US$10 billion Formosa Industrial Park, located in the Vung Angeconomic zone, reports Tuoi Tre.

At least three workers are still believed to be trapped under the rubble after over 500 emergency personnel worked through the night to free victims from the debris, according to Thanh Nien.

One of the wounded told the paper that about 50 workers were on the scaffolding when the incident occurred.

“My shoulder-blade was injured and I managed to get out of the rubble while many others died on the spot or were stuck under fallen scaffolding parts and could not escape,” Mai said in panic.

Another survivor said that about one hour before the accident, workers warned their supervisor that the scaffolding was shaking but were told to continue with their work.

The contractor has offered US$1,300 in financial support to the families of each dead worker and to cover all medical costs for those injured.

Construction started on the complex in 2008 and has a workforce of over 40,000 workers.