One worker died and five others were injured when the net in which they were being lifted off a coal freighter onto the dockside by crane on Si Racha Island, in Thailand’s eastern province of Chon Buri, snapped yesterday evening.

Port officials said that the net was about 20 metres above the freighter when it failed, sending all six workers falling onto the deck of the vessel. The injured workers were rushed to three hospitals in Si Racha district, but one was pronounced dead upon arrival. The five others are being treated for impact injuries.

Officials said that wind was strong at the time of the accident and the net might have given way because it could not hold the weight.

Port officials are to investigate the incident today (Saturday).