A bridge collapsed over a stream while a bus from ASR was crossing it in Rincón de las Flores, located in the municipality of Omealca, Veracruz. This unfortunate incident has resulted in one fatality and six injuries, as reported by the Veracruz Civil Protection Secretariat.
All those injured were hospitalized, though their current health status hasn’t been disclosed yet. Remarkably, the bus did not plunge into the water; it remained on the collapsed structure.
The Veracruz Civil Protection shared an update on their social media on July 23, stating, “Task force teams at all levels of government are responding to a vehicular accident in Rincón de las Flores, Omealca, where a bridge collapsed while an ASR bus was crossing. The bus did not fall into the current but stayed on the collapsed section.”
Emergency responders, including members from state Civil Protection and local units from Omealca, Coetzala, Cuichapa, and Amatlán, attended to the situation. They were joined by the National Guard, the Navy Secretariat, and local fire services. The area was cordoned off to ensure safety during rescue operations.
This incident adds to a recent tragedy on July 13, when a pickup truck fell into the Coatzacoalcos River, leading to the drowning of seven young individuals. Local media reported that this accident happened at the intersection of Aguamarina and Perla streets, as the graduates were returning home from a party. Residents informed authorities after noticing the scene, leading to the arrival of emergency medical teams and police.
Photos shared by Veracruz’s Civil Protection highlight the severity of that tragedy, showing the truck partially submerged in the water. To rescue the stranded passengers, emergency personnel used ladders to reach the vehicle, with the area secured to keep bystanders away.
A video captured part of the rescue effort, showing team members forming a human chain to carry the injured to safety. The difficult recovery process was complicated by the soft, waterlogged ground caused by the river’s overflow.
Several factors can contribute to bridge collapses, such as design flaws, excessive weight from heavy traffic, material deterioration from environmental exposure, lack of routine inspections, and weakened foundations due to soil erosion.
For more on bridge safety and inspection practices, you can explore resources such as the American Society of Civil Engineers or the National Bridge Inspection Standards.
Image and News Source: https://www.infobae.com/mexico/2024/07/24/puente-colapsa-mientras-un-camion-de-pasajeros-lo-cruzaba-en-veracruz/
