During the Christmas celebrations at Poovar in Thiruvananthapuram, a makeshift bridge, constructed as part of the festivities, collapsed around 9 pm on Monday, resulting in injuries to several individuals, as confirmed by the local police.
According to a senior district officer, approximately eight people sustained injuries in the incident, with one individual, a woman, suffering a significant leg fracture. The remaining injuries were reported as minor.
The unfortunate incident transpired when numerous individuals ascended to the top of the bridge, which proved incapable of bearing their collective weight, causing it to tilt to one side and leading to the subsequent fall of those present on it.
The bridge, constructed as a temporary structure, served the purpose of allowing people to traverse over a wall to the opposite side for a view of a waterfall. Additionally, it facilitated access to a nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus, along with other decorations marking the Christmas celebrations, as explained by the officer.
Notably, the makeshift bridge, positioned approximately five feet above the ground, was designed to accommodate a limited number of individuals at a time. However, the mishap occurred when a considerable number of people simultaneously climbed onto it, resulting in the unfortunate accident, the officer clarified.
The injured individuals were promptly transported to nearby hospitals for medical attention, underlining the immediate response to address the consequences of the incident.
