A bridge in Ecuador collapsed, leading to one death and two missing persons. Four trucks, a car, and two motorbikes fell into the Magro River. Guayas Governor Marcela Aguinaga noted the bridge might have been overloaded, and the event coincides with the rainy season, during which at least 20 people have died due to flooding and landslides. The event raises safety concerns regarding infrastructure amid severe weather conditions.
A tragic incident occurred in Ecuador when a bridge collapsed, resulting in one fatality and two individuals reported missing. Four trucks, a car, and two motorbikes plunged into the Magro River, located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Guayaquil. The Ministry for Risk Management has confirmed this incident, which has also left at least five people injured.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that at one end of the bridge, the trailer of a truck transporting corn was precariously positioned, tilted over the guardrail. This bridge was crucial as it connected the province of Guayas, home to Guayaquil, with other northern provinces. Guayas Governor Marcela Aguinaga stated that she had not received any reports indicating the bridge’s structural faults.
Governor Aguinaga suggested on social media platform X that initial assessments imply the bridge may have been overloaded at the time of collapse. This tragic event coincides with the rainy season in Ecuador, which has already caused significant damage; reports indicate at least 20 fatalities due to flooding and landslides that have compromised 45 other bridges in the region, according to the Ministry for Risk Management.
The bridge collapse in Ecuador highlights critical safety concerns, particularly regarding structural integrity during adverse weather conditions. The tragic loss of one life, alongside injuries and missing persons, underscores the immediate need for investigation into the causes of this disaster amidst a season marked by severe flooding and instability. Authorities must assess the impact of ongoing weather-related issues on infrastructure reliability.
Original Source: en.mehrnews.com