Part of a bridge under construction collapsed in the eastern Netherlands on Wednesday, killing at least two people and injuring two, local authorities said.
“An industrial accident occurred while building a bridge. Unfortunately, two people died and two other people were injured,” these sources told the social network X.
According to authorities, an investigation has been launched to determine the causes of the accident, which occurred above a canal in Lochem.
A journalist from local newspaper De Stentor who was at the scene said that workers were lifting arches from the bridge when the accident occurred.
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“Suddenly there was a huge noise. The entire arch began to sway. Then everything collapsed. “We saw two workers fall,” she said.
According to the Dutch labor inspectorate, citing the ANP news agency, parts of the bridge fell on at least two people.
In images published by Dutch media, helicopters flew over the scene of the tragedy where emergency vehicles arrived.
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Many employees witnessed the accident and are receiving psychological support, authorities said.
“Our first thoughts are with the families of the victims,” they added.
Many people who were curious about the progress of the work also saw the accident, as it was announced that the assembly of the bridge would begin on Wednesday. According to ANP, some people came specifically to take part.
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Max Schurink, project manager for the province of Gelderland, where the site is located, said he saw the accident with his own eyes and was “extremely shocked.”
“I am very worried about the colleagues who are there,” Schurink told De Stentor.
According to him, the working conditions on the construction site were fine. He called for people not to “speculate” about the reasons for the tragedy and to think first of the victims and the employees affected by the accident.
“It’s dramatic enough,” he said.
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