National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said Saturday that the Mahakam II bridge connecting Tenggarong and Tenggarong Seberang districts in Kutai Kertanegara, East Kalimantan, was under repair after it collapsed on Saturday afternoon.
“The bridge was out of service but was still open to the public. One cable broke and was quickly followed by other cables, prompting the collapse. The bridge collapsed in 30 seconds,” Sutopo said in a press statement received by The Jakarta Post.
Four people perished, three men and a 6-month-old baby girl, while 19 others were injured. Six workers have not been found.
At least five cars and 10 motorcycles were washed away, Sutopo said.
The bodies of the victims have been evacuated to the Pari Kesit hospital in Tenggarong.
Victims with severe injuries had also been taken to the hospital.
The BNPB along with search and rescue, army and police officers have been deployed to the area to evacuate victims and take emergency actions.
Sutopo said BNPB would ask the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT) to audit the technology used in the bridge construction.
According to the BNPB, the bridge was 580 meters long and was inaugurated in 2003. (swd)
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