The 31-year-old rope access technician went missing at the project, which is 100 kilometres north west of the island of Borkum, on Wednesday.
After a major search operation, a remote-controlled underwater robot found his body today, close to a foundation pile. News that technician’s body had been found was reported by project developer and turnkey contractor, Bard Group.
Divers have been flown in from Emden to retrieve the body when weather conditions are suitable, expected after about 19.00 this evening.
The worker was pulled underwater when, for reasons that are not yet clear, a component came free and fell during work on a turbine foundation. A second worker was able to reach safety without injury, explained the Bard Group today.
This is the second fatality at the project. On July 24th 2010, a 27-year-old diver lost his life while working from the Maersk Tender vessel, which had been chartered as a platform, according to a report by the Danish Maritime Authority.
Remaining workers at the offshore site were all flown to shore last Wednesday after the latest accident occurred and have been offered pastoral care.
The Bard Group stressed that worker safety has highest priority, noting that all stages of construction are subject to detailed planning, safety evaluation and monitoring. The weather was relatively calm when the accident occurred, it added.
Thus far, 30 of the planned 80 turbines at the site have been installed.
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