1-3-2025 (MANILA) A catastrophic structural failure occurred Thursday evening when a recently completed bridge in the Philippines’ Isabela province partially gave way, resulting in injuries to six people, including a child who suffered serious trauma.

The P1.25 billion ($21.5mil) infrastructure project, which had been in development for over a decade and was only unveiled to the public earlier this month, succumbed to apparent structural deficiencies at approximately 8 o’clock in the evening, according to local disaster management officials.

Emergency services swiftly transported the injured parties to Milagros Albano District Hospital for immediate treatment. The young victim, whose injuries were deemed critical, required specialist care and was subsequently transferred to Cagayan Valley Medical Center.

The 90-metre span featuring twelve distinctive arch sections had represented a vital new connection between the communities of Cabagan and Santa Maria when it opened on 1st February. The ambitious construction project had commenced in November 2014, taking more than ten years to complete.

Preliminary investigations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) suggest a heavily laden lorry may have contributed to the collapse. According to official statements, the vehicle was transporting stone aggregate weighing an estimated 102 tonnes when the incident occurred.

“We have requested specialists from our Bureau of Design and Bureau of Construction headquarters to conduct comprehensive evaluations,” a DPWH spokesperson explained. “Detailed analysis into the precise cause of failure remains ongoing.”

Four vehicles were involved in the incident – two SUVs, a motorcycle, and the heavily overloaded lorry. Authorities continue to search for the lorry driver and porter, whose whereabouts remain unknown following the collapse.