Bridge collapsed in Malanje, Angola due to heavy rainfall

A metal bridge that stood proudly over the Ngola River in the Ngola Luije commune, Malanje municipality, in the heart of Angola, succumbed to the relentless force of Mother Nature. The region faced torrential rains, relentless and unforgiving, causing the river to overflow and resulting in the bridge's collapse.

This catastrophic event severed the crucial link between the commune and the bustling city of Malanje, leaving residents isolated. In response to the adversity, locals took immediate action, utilizing available resources to create a temporary footbridge. In fact, they used felled tree trunks for pedestrian crossings. However, despite its resourcefulness and innovation, the Provincial Civil Protection and Fire Service deemed this makeshift solution unsafe after a thorough risk assessment.

The spokesperson for the Provincial Civil Protection, Júlia da Conceição, raised concerns about the potential hazards of the makeshift bridge. She emphasized the danger presented by slippery and precarious wet logs, which could lead to disastrous accidents. The community now faces a situation in which safety is hanging in the balance of traversing the perilous makeshift bridge. Consequently, the community is urging government intervention to address the situation and restore a safe passage.

Beyond the immediate threat of the collapsed bridge and its replacement, the incident prompts broader questions about the resilience of infrastructure in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather conditions. The bridge's collapse serves as a reminder of the potential implications of climate change, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced infrastructural resilience and effective disaster management strategies.