With construction suspended, federal authorities are investigating the collapse of an industrial storage tank that sent two workers plummeting 60 feet to their deaths.

Andres Olivarez, 57, of Mathis, TX, and Colter Huff, 19, of Temple, GA, had been performing welding on the above-ground oil storage tank when the accident occurred about 2 p.m. CST Sunday (Dec. 15) at Trafigura Terminals LLC in Corpus Christi, reports said.

Screen grab: KRISTV

The workers were killed during construction of an above-ground storage tank in Corpus Christi, TX.

Early details of the incident conflicted. It was not clear whether the roof collapsed on top of the victims or gave way below them. None of the reports indicated whether the victims had been wearing fall protection.

The accident reportedly involved the collapse of some I-beams, but details were sketchy as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration began its investigation.

Work on the tanks was halted during the investigation, news outlets reported.

Contractor Employees

The above-ground storage tanks are being built at Trafigura Terminals' petroleum liquids terminal. The 84-acre site has 10 storage tanks, with the space and capacity for many more from the Eagle Ford Shale formation, according to the company's website. A pipeline to the terminal is also planned.

Tarsco

The victims worked for Tarsco, which provides a range of tank services.

The victims worked for Tarsco, a California-based TF Warren company that provides above-ground tank design, construction, maintenance, coating and repair services for a variety of industries.

Tarsco did not respond Tuesday (Dec. 17) to a request for comment but released a statement to several news outlets that said in part: "...Our thoughts are with their families and loved ones. At this time the incident is under investigation by OSHA and other authorities; additional details will be forthcoming at the appropriate time."