According to local media reports, on April 8th in Russia’s Smolensk region, one person tragically lost their life and six others were injured as a result of an overpass collapse. The incident occurred near the Vyazma station in the town of Vyazma, where the Paninsky Road overpass fell onto a portion of railway tracks. At the time of the collapse, a truck and car were on the bridge, as reported by the RIA Novosti news agency.
The individuals who were injured in the collapse are currently being treated by the local health department, with five of them described as being in serious or moderate condition with multiple injuries. Fortunately, no trains were on the railway tracks at the moment of the collapse, although train services along this stretch were halted, according to Moscow Railway’s announcement on Telegram.
In response to the incident, Russia’s Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case to investigate the circumstances surrounding the overpass collapse. The collapse has led to questions about the safety and maintenance of infrastructure in the region, as well as concerns over potential lapses in oversight that may have contributed to the tragic event.
Eyewitnesses to the collapse have shared harrowing accounts of the moment the overpass gave way, describing scenes of chaos and destruction as the bridge collapsed onto the railway tracks below. The impact of the collapse on the surrounding area and infrastructure has yet to be fully assessed, as authorities work to secure the site and conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the incident.
The overpass collapse has sparked a wave of concern and calls for action to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future. Questions have been raised about the structural integrity of other bridges and overpasses in the region, prompting authorities to conduct thorough inspections and maintenance checks to ensure the safety of the public and prevent further incidents.
As the community in Vyazma grapples with the aftermath of the overpass collapse, condolences have been extended to the families of the victims and wishes for a speedy recovery have been sent to those who were injured in the incident. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the importance of properly maintaining and monitoring critical infrastructure to prevent avoidable disasters and protect the lives of residents in the region.
