Truck carrying steel bars causes footbridge collapse in South Cotabato

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — A footbridge in Barangay Denlag, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, collapsed on Saturday, Oct. 24, while a truck carrying steel bars crossed it, forcing residents to use a makeshift bamboo walkway to cross the river.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Kagawad Jericho Palmaera Layang said a section of the bridge suddenly gave way as the truck was crossing, causing the structure to collapse along with the vehicle.The vehicle was an Isuzu Elf light-duty commercial truck.

The steel bars it was carrying were intended for the construction of a multipurpose building in the area, Layang said.

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READ: Portion of Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City collapses amid heavy rainsThe bridge’s metal walkway tilted sharply to one side, with its suspension cables and supporting sections displaced. The truck remained lodged beside the damaged structure above a rocky river, still carrying the steel bars.Bamboo poles have been placed along one side of the damaged bridge to provide residents with a temporary passage. Motorcycles, meanwhile, are using the river to cross the area.

READ: Detour bridge in Ilocos Sur collapses due to overloaded truckThe collapse has disrupted residents who rely on the bridge to transport their farm produce and bring supplies to their homes. No injuries were reported in the incident.Chief provincial engineer Lloyd Esparagosa and Eng. Eric Misaen, head of the Equipment and Maintenance Operations Division (Motorpool), inspected the site on Sunday, Oct. 25, to assess the damage.The Provincial Engineer’s Office said the inspection aimed to determine the extent of the damage and identify appropriate measures to address the infrastructure concern and help ensure public safety. /cb