Brazil 2014: judge orders halt to work on Manaus stadium after death of worker

The prosecutor's office of the State of Amazonia has demanded the "urgent and immediate stop in all areas involving altitude" at the stadium in Manaus, after the death of a worker who fell from the roof, on the 14/12/2013.

"The Public Prosecutor's Office cannot allow the urgency of finishing construction for the 2014 World Cup to be at the cost of the life and well-being of those working on it," said the office of the Manaus prosecutor in a statement. State officials are calling for the halt in work to allow the opening of an investigation into the security of the workers.

On the same day, a 49 year old man who was working on the convention center adjacent to the stadium in Manaus died of a heart attack. "As a result of the pressure imposed by the work schedule," said colleagues. An argument refuted by the local authorities.

The Manaus stadium, which will play host to four World Cup matches, is supposed to be completed by the 15/01/2014. In March 2013, a worker died at the site of the Amazonia Arena. In total, five workers have died on stadium construction sites of the 2014 World Cup…