(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-03-18 08:59

NEW YORK - Rescue workers recovered the bodies of three people missing in Saturday's Manhattan crane collapse, bringing to seven the toll in one of the worst construction site accident in New York City.

Among the seven victims, six were construction workers. The other victim, a woman from Miami, was in town for St. Patrick's Day, which falls on Monday, the AP reported.

Nearly two dozen others were injured, and at least six buildings were damaged when the crane came crashing down onto East 50th and 51st Streets.

Investigators believe the accident happened when a heavy steel collar used to secure the crane to the building at the 18th floor broke free and slid down the crane, taking out another collar at the 9th floor, leaving the nearly 300-foot (91.4-meter) crane unsupported and creating an imbalance that sent the crane toppling across 51st and 50th streets, the NY1 television station reported.

Authorities are now looking into whether human error or a mechanical flaw caused the collapse.

The construction site has received 13 violations since work started in 2006, but city officials say that number is normal for a project of similar size and that one of the violations was related to the crane collapse.

Hundreds of local residents are still displaced by the accident, which forced the evacuation of 17 buildings in the vicinity of the site. Gas, electric, and water service has also been interrupted around the site.