In the German city of Dresden (federal state of Saxony), a bridge with tram tracks and a pedestrian area collapsed last night.
The incident disrupted the centralized heating supply to a community with a population of more than 572,000 people.
The TASS news agency reported the incident, citing the German newspaper Bild.
City without heat
According to the latest data, a large section of the Carolabrücke bridge with tram tracks and a pedestrian area collapsed into the Elbe River last night.
The incident is reported to have taken place at approximately three o'clock in the morning (four o'clock in the morning Belarusian time).
Fortunately, no one was hurt. At least, there is no information about it at the moment.
However, the collapse of the structure damaged two major central heating lines.
As of the morning of September 11, there was no heating throughout Dresden.
Emergency services are working at the scene of the incident; the area near the bridge is closed off.
The newspaper writes that public transport has been disrupted. Citizens are urged not to visit this area of the city.
What the police say
German media also report that the police are calling the incident an accident.
Law enforcement officials say no evidence has been found to indicate outside influence.
The press also points out the fact that construction work had been going on on this bridge for several years, including due to defects discovered in the structure.
One of the sections was reconstructed from 2019 to 2021, the other from 2022 to 2023.
The collapsed part of the bridge is the only section that has not been repaired by this time, the media writes.
