One dead and two injured after bridge collapse in Belgium

On Thursday, March 6, a bridge collapsed near La Louviere, in southern Belgium, resulting in the death of one worker and injuries to two others. At the time of the collapse, the highway bridge was undergoing demolition. Mayor Jacques Gobert stated that the worker who lost his life was on the steel bridge when it collapsed, while the injured workers were below the structure when the deck gave way.

The bridge, which was part of a twin-bridge structure on the E42 highway over the Canal du Centre, had been closed to traffic and the public for demolition. Plans had already been made for its reconstruction in 2026. Meanwhile, its twin bridge had already been renovated in recent years, according to Sofico Wallonie, the local government's highways agency spokesperson.

As a precautionary measure, authorities temporarily closed the renovated bridge to ensure public safety and prevent further incidents. However, by 18:00 local time, traffic was restored, with vehicles accommodated in both directions.