Joburg bridge collapse: Safety MMC says it was a \u0027disaster waiting to happen\u0027
The footbridge is old and constant movement caused the collapse.The City of Joburg's MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, warned that the pedestrian bridge, which collapsed on Wednesday, could have been a major disaster if the bridge had collapsed during peak hour traffic.
The bridge is at least 50 years old and is used by hundreds of people daily, who cross from Jeppestown, east of the Johannesburg CBD, to factories near the M2 highway.It's understood the other victim, a man, may have to have his foot amputated at the ankle due to the severity of his injuries.Tshwaku, who was at the scene, said if the collapse had happened in peak hour traffic, when hundreds of people used the bridge, and the trains were running, it would have been a mass casualty incident.
"We have flagged a number of bridges that have the potential to collapse. This was not on that list and is not the property of the City. But it was part of the disaster waiting to happen," he said.Tshwaku said the incident did not speak to the City's infrastructure because it was a Prasa bridge, but added that he remained concerned about the infrastructure, especially because of water and load shedding.
He said the pressure that came with switching water on and off was causing the old water pipes to break.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
[WATCH] Pedestrian bridge collapses while 2 people cross itCity of Joburg MMC for Public Safety Mgcini Tshwaku said it would've been a major disaster had the bridge collapsed during peak hour traffic.
Read more »
Joburg Denounced As “World-Class African City” After Man Caught...The video has been splayed all over TikTok, with the unidentified man seen dangling his legs out of the moving car in order to pee in broad daylight.
Read more »
Trains between Joburg and Germiston suspended after bridge collapseTwo people aged between 21 and 25 were injured while crossing the bridge when it collapsed before 2pm on Wednesday.
Read more »
'Joburg is finished': SA stunned by collapse of pedestrian bridge in JeppestownA pedestrian bridge in Jeppestown Johannesburg collapsed while people were walking on it. Two people were severely injured and one is facing amputation.
Read more »
Two injured after bridge collapses in Jeppestown, JoburgThe bridge collapsed on the railway below.
Read more »