Tragedy struck in southern Iraq when a segment of a bridge under construction collapsed, resulting in two fatalities and several injuries, according to local authorities on Sunday.
The incident occurred late Saturday, with rescue efforts extending over 13 hours.
An AFP photographer observed that rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night to extract individuals trapped in their vehicles beneath the twisted debris of the bridge on the main Karbala-Baghdad road.
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The civil defense agency in Karbala confirmed they “rescued seven individuals and retrieved two bodies” from the collapsed site.
A health official in Karbala reported to AFP that at least six people sustained injuries, including individuals from Syria and Afghanistan.
All injured parties were promptly taken to the nearest hospital in Karbala.
The health official, opting for anonymity, mentioned that “the bridge’s pillars gave way as several vehicles were passing underneath.”
As Iraq experiences a phase of renewed stability post-conflict, many regions, especially Baghdad, are seeing a rise in construction and infrastructure projects, such as new bridges.
However, safety protocols in the construction industry are often overlooked, leading to multiple accidents and fires.
In July, over 60 lives were lost when a fire engulfed a newly opened shopping center in the eastern city of Kut.
