A celebration for the newly opened Pongpet Suspension Bridge in Pangandaran Regency, West Java, Indonesia, turned perilous on August 30 when the structure collapsed, sending dozens of villagers into the river below. The incident occurred as locals and officials gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 196-foot-long wooden bridge, which hung 10 feet above the river, gave way when a load-bearing rope snapped under the weight of the crowd. Reports indicate that more than 50 people were on the bridge simultaneously, exceeding its specified capacity. This overload caused the sling rope on the left side to detach from its main fastener, leading to the bridge tilting and collapsing.
While the main structure of the bridge remained intact, a significant portion, including the deck and its supporting ropes, fell into the river. Onlookers described scenes of terror and screams as villagers clung to the collapsing structure to avoid falling. Several people sustained minor injuries and abrasions. Among those injured were the head of the Pangandaran Regency, Citra Pitriyami, and the head of the Public Works Department, Ling Ling Nugraha Senjaya.
The Indonesian Army reported no fatalities from the incident. A spokesperson for the army stated that safety regulation warnings had been posted by the Pangandaran 0625 Military District Command prior to the inauguration. However, in their enthusiasm, residents disregarded these warnings, contributing to the bridge's overload and subsequent collapse.
The Pongpet Suspension Bridge was built to improve connectivity for the residents of Margacinta Village. Following the collapse, the bridge has been closed for urgent repairs. Officials are currently investigating the structural integrity and the cause of the failure.