A striking video circulating on social media shows a construction crane hoisting a full-size backhoe excavator to the top of a building along Avenida Simón Bolívar in Dosquebradas, a city in Colombia’s Risaralda department, located in the coffee-growing region in the country’s west. The heavy machine was apparently being positioned so crews could begin demolishing the structure from the roof downward.
The footage, shared by the account @ColombiaOscura, quickly drew attention online, with many users expressing alarm at what they described as a risky maneuver. Commenters questioned whether the crane and rigging used could safely support the excavator’s weight, and whether proper safety protocols and permits were in place for such an operation in a public urban area.
While lifting heavy equipment to elevated positions is a recognized technique in demolition work when access by other means isn’t feasible, the visual of a full-sized excavator dangling above city traffic struck many viewers as unusually dramatic. So far, local authorities have not issued a public statement addressing the safety standards applied during the operation, and it remains unclear whether any inspection or review has been opened.
To watch the video and see the full range of reactions from Colombian social media users, check out the original report.
Source: Grúa de construcción subió una retroexcavadora hasta un edificio en Dosquebradas para trabajos de demolición (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
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