A longshore worker fell to his death from the deck of a containership berthed at the Port of Oakland, California.
The incident occurred at the Oakland International Container Terminal in the morning hours of March 31, 2020.
The vessel in question has not been identified.
The port said that the fatal accident is under investigation by local authorities.
“This is a tragedy that strikes everyone very deeply,” John Driscoll, Port of Oakland Maritime Director, commented.
“The waterfront is a tightly knit community and if a member of that community succumbs, we all share the grief.”
The International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) confirmed that the accident victim was one of its members. Longshore workers are hired by marine terminals to load and unload ships and move cargo containers.
According to the Port of Oakland, most marine terminals were closed on March 31 for the annual holiday observing the life of late California labor leader Cesar Chavez.
The port pointed out that workers including longshore labor are on the job despite the shelter-in-place orders issued in the face of a coronavirus crisis. That’s because the port has been designated as critical infrastructure during the crisis.
“All of those on the front-line of the supply chain have our heartfelt gratitude under these trying circumstances,” Driscoll added.
“They’re keeping the economy going and doing their best to maintain some semblance of normalcy for all of us.”