Martin Scorsese 'in shock' after death on set of new film Silence

A construction worker died and two more were injured during pre-production

Film director Martin Scorsese (Getty Images)

Martin Scorsese has been left “shocked and saddened” after a fatality on set of his new movie Silence.

One person was killed and a further two injured when a ceiling collapsed onto Taiwanese construction workers during pre-production at the Chinese Culture and Movie Center.

Independent contractors had been hired to “make safe” a backlot building that had been considered unstable. It was during this process that the accident occurred, according to the film’s spokesperson.

“Everyone is in shock and sorrow and expresses their deepest concern and sympathy to the families of the individual who died and those who were injured,” a statement made to Deadline read.

Lee added that the tragedy is unlikely to affect Silence’s shooting schedule, due to begin on Friday ahead of a 2016 release date.

Liam Neeson, Adam Driver and Andrew Garfield star in the historical drama about the Portuguese Jesuits persecuted in isolated areas of 17th century Japan.

The movie is an adaptation of Japanese author Shusaku Endo’s 1966 novel of the same name, widely considered to be his magnum opus.

Scorsese said last year that Silence would be a “suspenseful film with elements of a thriller”.