Tragic Bridge Collapse Claims Lives of Two Workers in Lochem, Netherlands
In a devastating incident in Lochem, the Netherlands, two workers lost their lives as part of an under-construction bridge collapsed. The catastrophe occurred when cables snapped on a bridge arch being lifted into place, resulting in its abrupt descent to the ground. The collapse also left two others injured, who are currently receiving medical treatment.
Authorities have labeled the incident an “industrial accident” and have initiated an investigation to determine the root cause of the collapse. According to Dutch broadcaster NOS, one of the deceased workers was from Belgium, and the other was from Poland, with no further details provided regarding their names or ages.
A crowd of onlookers, including dozens of people, witnessed the tragic moment as the bridge section was being positioned. Reports suggest that psychological support is being offered to those who witnessed the collapse.
Eyewitnesses described seeing the arch swinging before a sudden, loud bang marked the collapse. The bridge was intended to span a major canal as part of a new ring road planned for Lochem, situated in the eastern province of Gelderland.
Mayor Sebastiaan van ‘t Erve expressed shock over the incident, emphasizing the five years of development that led to the long-awaited road, only to witness its collapse in a single day, claiming two lives and injuring two others. The cause of the collapse remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing, as stated by the mayor.
Local authorities confirmed that the injured individuals have been transported to the hospital and are expected to survive. Andre Meilink from the regional safety authority provided insight into the sequence of events, explaining that the attempt to lift the bridge led to its twisting, resulting in the section’s tragic fall to the ground.