NEW DELHI: Three cranes crashed today while trying to lift a steel girder that had fallen at New Delhi’s metro rail construction site, a new blow to the project a day after the first accident left six persons dead.

A Delhi Metro spokesman denied reports that people had been injured in the latest accident. The truck-mounted cranes had lifted the massive orange girder off the ground when they buckled under the weight. Live television pictures showed the crane arms shearing off the multi-wheeled trucks, one of which ended up in a vertical position.

The truck ended up resting on its nose with the underbelly in the air, exposing its wheels. The crane’s arms lay flattened and mangled. Parts of the truck could be seen falling off the upended machine. People ran helter-skelter.

Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Kashyap told reporters that four cranes were trying to lift the 300-ton girder when one of them malfunctioned. The other three cranes couldn’t handle the weight and buckled, he said. It was not clear how many operators were in the cabins of the three cranes.

“There have been no injuries to anybody. I am confirming there have been no injuries,” said Delhi Metro spokesman Aunj Dayal.