One reportedly dead as Russia stadium collapses

A worker has reportedly died after a Russian ice hockey stadium collapsed in Saint Petersburg. [Courtesy]

A worker has reportedly died after a Russian ice hockey stadium collapsed in Saint Petersburg.

A clip shows the walls and roof of the Saint Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex giving way while a construction work stood atop it.

The sickening footage sees the man attempting to cling onto the mesh of a crane as the building gives way beneath him.

A second worker is seen in the cradle and escaped alive, although it is thought other were trapped in the debris.

The world’s largest ice arena is scheduled to be built on the site. [Courtesy]

"According to preliminary information, there could be workers under the rubble," Russia's Emergency Services Minstry, who are leading a search in the rubble, was quoted as saying by Fontanka.

Fontanka added that the worker who passed away was Matvey Kucherov aged 29. The tragedy came as workers cleared the site of St Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex in Russia’s second city. 

The world’s largest ice arena is scheduled to be built on the site.

The Soviet-era was in the process of being demolished after it has fallen into disrepair - although local architects protested the plans to destroy the 'icon of Soviet neo-constructivist architecture'.

The workers were cutting the structures by which the stadium wall was attached to the roofing when the sudden collapse happened.

The workers were cutting the structures by which the stadium wall was attached to the roofing. [Courtesy]

The 25,000 stadium was formally the venue for the St Petersburg Open until 2014 and hosted a number of concerts - including Billy Joel, Shakira, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Madonna.

The arena was opened in 1980, and also played host to bowling, tennis table and fencing, but was closed last year after a Jennifer Lopez gig on the 'It's My Party Tour'.