Tragic Bridge Collapse in Ecuador Results in Fatalities and Injuries

A bridge collapse in Ecuador led to one death and two missing individuals, with several injuries reported. The bridge, connecting Guayas to other provinces, may have been overloaded according to local officials. This incident occurs during a rainy season marked by flooding and landslides that have caused further devastation in the area.

A tragic incident occurred in Ecuador on Wednesday when a bridge collapsed, resulting in one fatality and two individuals reported missing. The collapse caused four trucks, a car, and two motorbikes to fall into the Magro River, located approximately 50 kilometers north of Guayaquil, as reported by the ministry for risk management. At least five people sustained injuries in this accident.

Photographic evidence shows that the trailer of a truck, laden with corn, was left precariously teetering over the guardrail at one end of the collapsed structure. The bridge served as a vital connection between the province of Guayas, where Guayaquil is situated, and several other provinces to the north.

Guayas governor Marcela Aguinaga indicated that there had been no prior reports of structural issues with the bridge. “From what we can deduce at this point, the bridge was overloaded,” she posted on the social media platform, X. This incident occurs amidst the rainy season in the Andean country, compounding concerns regarding infrastructure safety.

The bridge’s failure is a part of a larger context, as recent incidents have seen at least 20 fatalities due to flooding and landslides that have also damaged 45 bridges in the region, according to the risk management ministry. Such disasters underline the ongoing challenges faced by Ecuador in managing natural disasters and infrastructure maintenance.

The bridge collapse in Ecuador is a significant incident resulting in one death, with two individuals still missing and several injuries reported. Governor Marcela Aguinaga suggests that the collapse was due to potential overloading, emphasizing the urgent need for infrastructure assessment, especially during the rainy season. Furthermore, this tragedy highlights broader issues of flooding and landslides affecting the region, resulting in multiple fatalities and damage to numerous bridges.

Original Source: en.mehrnews.com