At least three construction workers died when scaffolding fell down a lift shaft at a building site in Hamburg, German authorities have said.

At least one worker was missing and another had life-threatening injuries.

People were evacuated from the site after Monday’s accident, the fire service in Germany’s second-biggest city said, per the country’s news agency dpa.

Between 1,300-1,500 workers were on site at the time.

There was no immediate word on why the scaffolding, which had been set up in the lift shift, collapsed and fell from the eighth floor.

Recovery workers were sifting through and removing debris piled up over several floors.

Their work was expected to continue until Monday evening.

Officials initially said five people died. They later said they were sure of three deaths.

The accident happened in the Ueberseequartier, part of the port city’s HafenCity district.

HafenCity is a former port area on the Elbe river that is being redeveloped with office and residential buildings, hotels and shops.