Workers flee as Wembley Stadium roof collapses

LONDON - Thousands of workers at the troubled Wembley Stadium were evacuated late last night (NZT) after a loud bang was heard and part of the roof dropped a metre.

"Something serious has occurred at Wembley but we do not know yet what has happened," said a union spokesman. "Luckily no one has been injured."

Multiplex, the Australian company building Wembley, said an investigation was under way.

The new stadium, replacing arguably the world's most famous soccer facility which was demolished in 2000, will be straddled by an arch, instead of the previous twin towers.

The GMB union said the section affected last night was where one end of the arch met the roof.

- REUTERS