Worker hurt as containers topple in Manila port area

A stack of containers come undone at the South Harbor in Manila over the weekend. The Asian Terminals Inc. said it was still looking into the cause of the accident. RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines–Over two dozen container vans stacked in a pile toppled on Saturday at the Manila South Harbor in Port Area, Manila, injuring a crane operator.

Asian Terminals Inc. (ATI) corporate communications manager Dominador Bustamante said in a statement that the “freak accident,” which happened in front of the Bureau of Customs office, took place around 1 p.m.

According to him, at least 27 containers within a stack fell down, damaging a rubber-tired gantry crane and injuring its operator.

He was immediately taken to Manila Doctors Hospital in Manila. Bustamante refused to name the employee who he said had been discharged.

At press time, ATI said it was still assessing the cost of the damage due to the accident. An investigation was also underway to determine what caused it.

Bustamante said that this was the first time such an accident happened at the port as he assured the public that they were operating within industry standards.

“Only up to five containers are stacked at a given time,” he pointed out.

He added that despite the accident, traffic in one of the country’s busiest ports was not affected.