The stadium which will host the opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil has collapsed, leaving three people dead.

The preparations for Brazil's 2014 World Cup has suffered a huge setback after a crane collapsed at the building site in Sao Paulo's Corinthians stadium, killing three construction workers. The crane just outside the stadium, more popularly known as Itaquerao, unexpectedly collapsed colliding into the side of the structure. Some parts of the stands as well the outer walls were ruined.

It has been reported that the construction workers had been hurrying to finish the stadium as the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) had given them a time limit until December.

FIFA has already expressed sympathy and condolences to the families of the construction works who died.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this accident," said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke. "I was extremely shocked by the news from Sao Paulo," he added.

Following the accident, FIFA has insisted on making the wellbeing of the workers should be the foremost main concern of World Cup organisers. "We are aware that the wellbeing of all workers has always been vital for all construction companies contracted to build the 12 FIFA World Cup stadiums," said FIFA in a statement. "The Brazilian authorities will further investigate the reasons behind such a tragic accident."

The cause of the industrial misfortune is not known. Former Corinthians soccer club president Andres Sanchez told the media that the crane collapsed while bracing a piece of the stadium's roof to its position.

Brazilian engineering and construction mogul Odebrecht Organisation is the one responsible for building the sports ground, which has stated that the stadium is 94 percent complete. It was almost complete prior the tragic accident. The construction company plan to resume working on Monday.

According to the Brazilian media, the stadium is lined up to host six matches for the much-anticipated 2014 World Cup.