After nine years, the old bridge in Bohol, which collapsed in the 2013 quake with magnitude of 7.2 was not thoroughly fortified that it collapsed on Wednesday when a truck and several vehicles were stuck on top of it because of monstrous traffic. An Austrian visitor died and 23 others were injured from the accident.
Nine years after the 7.2 quake hit Bohol, the old bridge over the Loboc River in Loay, Bohol that was destroyed was not completely fortified. This same bridge collapsed on Wednesday killing at least four persons, including an Austrian visitor and his wife, when a heavy traffic stalled a truck on top of it that was carrying gravel and sand to be used for building another bridge.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) launched on Thursday a massive search and rescue operations for the victims of this bridge that collapsed on Wednesday noon under the weight of heavy vehicular traffic, said PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo who added that operations were being undertaken by Coast Guard in Bohol along with volunteer divers from Panglao.
Reports said aside from the Austrian visitor at least 23 others including his wife, were injured in the collapse of the bridge Wednesday afternoon in the coastal town of Loay in Bohol province, police and provincial officials said.
Vehicles were reportedly traversing the bridge or were stuck on top when it collapsed, plunging the at least vehicles into the famous Looc River.
The PCG said traffic was rerouted to the old bridge as the new Clarin bridge was being constructed.
A traffic congestion, however, piled up on top of the bridge, and due to the enormous weight, it reportedly collapsed.
“The weight of the truck and its cargo caused serious tension to the bridge that caused its collapse,” Regional Police chief Brig.Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega told reporters. The bridge that collapsed had been damaged by a 2013 earthquake that devastated Bohol, but authorities allowed its temporary use while another bridge was being constructed, police said.
Vega identified the Austrian national who died as Michael Osuchan, 30, who was staying on Bohol’s Panglao island, which is famous for its picturesque beach resorts. The other victims were mostly residents of Loay and nearby towns, the Associated Press reported.
Out of about a dozen vehicles that plummeted into the river, one car and two motorcycles have been retrieved by the coast guard, firefighters and volunteer divers, police said.
“It’s a sad day for Loay and Bohol,” said Loay Mayor Hilario Ayuban Jr. who was at the area to supervise the search and retrieval operation.
Ayuban said he could not give any assessment yet as to why the bridge collapsed.
“It’s maybe due to old age,” he said.
A new bridge worth P465 million was constructed beside the old bridge and is expected to be completed within the year.
Malacañang expressed its condolences to the loved ones of those who died following the collapse of on April 27.
“We express our condolences to the families of the victims who perished with the collapse of a bridge in Loay town in Bohol. We likewise pray for the swift recovery of those who got injured,” said presidential spokesman Martin Andanar.
“Authorities are currently conducting an investigation even as we assure everyone, especially affected residents and communities, of government assistance,” he added.
Tags: #Boholbridge, #Austrianvisitordies, #2013quake, #publicworks