In Su’ao Township at Yilan County,
there is a bridge that is considered to be the only one of its construction
type in all of Taiwan. This steel single arch bridge connects Su’ao to the
fishing harbor of Nanfang’ao, and it was built in the 1990s as a replacement for
the original connecting bridge since its deck was high enough to allow fishing
vessels to pass under it. Only last year, two decades since the Nanfang’ao
Bridge was opened to traffic, it was given routine reinforcement work. But none
of that maintenance helped the bridge when it collapsed this Tuesday.
CBS News reports that the Nanfang’ao arch bridge suddenly collapsed
at about 9:30 in the morning (Taiwan time) of October 1, causing damage to
fishing vessels below and multiple injuries. The collapse was apparently
triggered when an oil tanker truck made to cross the bridge. When the deck
started falling apart, the tanker slipped backwards into the broken gap and
fell onto three fishing boats passing underneath at the time, exploding as it
crashed. The Taiwan National Fire Agency reported 20 people injured, and six
were apparently walking on the bridge itself. Ten of these were sent to nearby hospitals.
In a follow-up report by CNN Philippines, it was determined that
five of the injuries in the Nanfang’ao Bridge collapse were Filipinos. A
statement from Chairman Angelito Banayo of the Manila Economic and Cultural
Office identified these injuries as Julio S. Gimawa, Jason N. Villaruel, Allan
H. Alcansano, John Vicente Royo and June B. Flores, all fishermen working
aboard vessels operating from Yilan County. Alcansano, Gimawa and Villaruel
were taken to Poai Hospital for treatment while Flores and Royo went to Rong
Min Hospital. The statement notes that all five were given treatment for non-serious
injuries and discharged soon after.
Already there is speculation as
to what could cause the steel arch structure of Nanfang’ao Bridge to fall apart
as it did. Two culprits are being considered, both the work of nature. Only the
day before, Yilan County was buffeted by Typhoon Mitag. Then, at 1:54 AM (Taiwan
time) of Tuesday there was a recorded earthquake in Yilan measuring 3.8 magnitude
and intensity 4. Taiwanese officials have made no statement yet on the
possibility that either or both of these events contributed to the disaster at
Nanfang’ao Bridge, which is considered a tourist attraction. Search and rescue operations are ongoing.
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