Collapses continue to cause deaths: the biggest bridge accidents and their consequences

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A container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. It then collapsed and tore several cars into the depths. The fire brigade is searching at full speed for survivors.

Although bridges are among the greatest engineering achievements in history, unexpected collapses have occurred in several cases. These five accidents are among the deadliest bridge disasters.

On August 14, 2018, part of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa (I) collapsed during a heavy storm. The Morandi Bridge was part of the A10 motorway from Genoa to Ventimiglia and Nice, so the collapse sent dozens of cars into the river below and adjacent roads and railway lines. 43 people were killed and dozens of others were injured.

The accident sparked major discussions about the safety and construction of bridges across Europe. An independent investigation blamed the collapse of the Morandi Bridge on rusted steel cables (corrosion). This was caused by cracks in the bridge’s concrete, which allowed water and salt air to enter the structure.

Thirteen people were killed when the Mississippi River Bridge collapsed in the US state of Minnesota on August 1, 2007: the steel bridge carrying the I35 highway suddenly collapsed during the evening rush hour.

Investigation showed: The collapse was caused by the collapse of a support pillar due to construction errors and excessive loading. The bridge collapse led to changes in legislation regarding the inspection and maintenance of bridges in the US.

The 2.65 kilometer long and 26 meter wide cable-stayed bridge in the Mekong Delta was still under construction when a 90 meter long section collapsed in September 2007. The collapse killed 52 people and injured 140. Following the tragedy, the Vietnamese government stepped up safety inspections and tightened building regulations to improve standards for bridge construction and construction work in general.

Those responsible for the construction site were prosecuted. The accident led to more attention for working conditions on Vietnamese construction sites. Measures have been taken to ensure that employees receive adequate training. The bridge, which now carries a four-lane highway, was reopened in April 2010.

One evening in March 2001, the single-lane bridge of the Ponte Hintze Ribeiro in Portugal collapsed. The reason: the fourth of the six stone pillars was washed away by floods. A carriage and three cars fell into the depths, killing 59 people. Two months earlier, residents had blocked the bridge, which was expected to collapse, in protest and called for new construction due to the lack of safety.

On the morning of May 9, 1980, sudden hurricane force winds struck Tampa Bay, Florida. Due to a defective radar and heavy fog, the almost 20-ton freighter MV Summit Venture collided with two support pillars of the bridge. A 365 meter long section of the bridge collapsed into the water, dragging seven cars and a carriage into the depths. 35 people were killed in the accident.

Incredibly, the driver of a pickup truck survived the 150-foot fall. His car fell into the water after hitting the cargo ship and the man was able to swim to safety unharmed.

Source: Blick