Worker dies at Brazil World Cup stadium

RIO DE JANEIRO - A construction worker died on Friday in an accident outside the Arena da Amazonia World Cup stadium in the city of Manaus.

Antonio Jose Pita Martins, 55, died after being struck on the head while dismantling a crane used at the venue, local authorities said.

World football's governing body FIFA issued a statement "deeply regretting" the accident.

"With great sadness we send our sincerest condolences to the family," the statement said.

The incident was the sixth death involving a worker at Brazil's 12 World Cup stadiums and the third at Arena da Amazonia.

The first occurred in March last year and was followed by another fatal accident in December.

One worker died at the Mane Garrincha stadium in Brasilia and another two were killed at Sao Paulo's Itaquerao stadium.

Arena da Amazonia is one of five World Cup stadiums yet to be ready for the June 12-July 13 tournament, despite a December 2013 deadline setby FIFA.

Located in the Amazon rainforest, Manaus will host four World Cup matches, including the England-Italy Group D match on June 14.