Authorities are currently investigating the partial collapse of a concrete bridge in Dresden, eastern Germany, which occurred early Wednesday. The incident has led to the disruption of a major traffic artery in the city and has also impacted the heating system for Dresden, known as the 'Florence on the Elbe' due to its stunning Baroque architecture.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a section of the Carola Bridge collapsed into the Elbe River, as confirmed by the Dresden fire department. Police are treating the collapse as an accident, ruling out any signs of foul play.
The Carola Bridge, dating back to East Germany's communist era, is suspected to have been affected by chlorine corrosion from that time, potentially contributing to the collapse. The emergency closure of the bridge has caused significant disruptions to the city's tram system, motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and even boat traffic on the river.
Emergency crews were alerted to the incident shortly after 3 a.m. and are now monitoring the situation closely, fearing that more sections of the bridge could collapse in the coming hours. The timing of the collapse was particularly fortunate, as the last tram crossed the bridge just 18 minutes before the incident.
It was revealed that the section that collapsed was due for renovation next year, with other parts of the bridge having only recently reopened in March after undergoing months of construction. Additionally, the collapse has damaged pipes that are part of Dresden's heating system, leading to a complete halt in the supply of hot water throughout the city.
Dresden, located approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Berlin, is now facing significant challenges in restoring normalcy to transportation and heating services following this unexpected bridge collapse.
