A section of the Carola Bridge in Dresden, Germany, collapsed early Wednesday morning, causing significant traffic disruptions and severing water pipes. Authorities reported that no one was injured, as the last tram passed through minutes before the collapse.
Police heard a loud noise around 2:59am and arrived on the scene at 3:01am to find the bridge section had completely collapsed, according to a spokesperson for Bild. A streetcar passed the section at 2:50am, Bild reported.
Security footage shows the moment of the collapse, which appears to have been accompanied by dust and steam. A section of the structure, including a footpath, cycle lane, and two sets of tram tracks, fell into the Elbe River.
More details about Bridge collapse
Last night at 2:59 local time in Dresden there was a loud noise, after which part of the Carola Bridge in Dresden collapsed into the water. By a lucky coincidence, no one was hurt, although only 9 m earlier a passenger tram had passed— Arthur Morgan (@ArthurM40330824)
“In addition, due to the bursting of two large district heating pipes, we have the problem that the supply of hot water has come to a complete standstill in the entire state capital of Dresden,” fire brigade spokesman Michael Klahre said in a statement, warning of the risk of further collapse.
Bild reported that water up to 115C burst out of the piping and ran into the surrounding area.
The municipal transport company DVB announced on X that streetcar traffic is being diverted due to the partial collapse of the Carola Bridge.
Although this is one of four bridges over the Elbe in downtown Dresden, city officials stated that river traffic will be halted for an undetermined period.
The cause of the collapse remains unknown. Emergency services are currently working in the area.
In June, Deutsche Welle reported that as many as 5,000 highway bridges in the country are in urgent need of repair. That same month, several German construction associations warned that planned federal budget cuts could prove “fatal” to the country’s infrastructure.