8 hurt after hanging bridge collapses

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Eight persons were injured after they fell into a river when a portion of the hanging bridge collapsed at Barangay Camugao, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental Sunday morning.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Unit (DRRMO) division head Elbert Javellana, said the bridge was loaded with people who were watching a fluvial parade as part of the highlights of the annual Sinulog Festival in the city, when it happened.

Javellana said that four of the eight victims were minors who were immediately rescued by some rescuers on standby for the parade.

“It was probably overloaded, that’s why it collapsed,” he added.

He said that the victims sustained minor injuries and were brought to a hospital.

He said the bridge has been used for about 20 years now connecting Camugao village to the barangay proper.

“People seldom pass by there but because of the parade, people flocked at the area to witness the event,” he added.

Due to the incident, the bridge was temporarily closed pending investigation and instructions from the authorities.

He said there’s an alternative route for people in the village since a new bridge was already constructed.