A segment of Carola Bridge, located in Dresden's city core, experienced a structural failure.
At 3:08 as per Dresden city's online report, an emergency was declared. The whole area surrounding Carolabridge, linking the ancient and modern districts of Dresden, was blocked off. This included the Elbe itself, the bike path, and the riverside cafes.
On the Old Town side of the bridge, a one-meter long split had developed, as per fire department reports. There was a considerable leak of heated water from two district heating pipelines. This leaking water had completely flooded certain sections of the riverside cafes. Consequently, the city of Dresden's warm water supply was disrupted, according to a fire department spokesperson in a viral social media video. The disruption was predicted to last until Wednesday.
There remained a significant risk to human life, as noted in the video by the spokesperson. The entire area was thus advised to stay away. The spokesperson hinted that additional parts of the bridge might cave in.
AFP was informed by the spokesperson that the main priority of the emergency responders at present was damage control. Any information regarding the causes would not be available for several days. Around fifty personnel, consisting of firefighters, police, and city administration staff, were present at the site.
Completed in 1971, the current Carolabridge was named after Carola of Wasa-Holstein-Gottorp, wife of Saxon King Albert. It is approximately 30 meters wide and accommodates a four-lane road and separate tram tracks, all held up by a river pillar.
Due to the potential danger indicated by the fire department spokesperson, people were advised to avoid the area near Carolabridge in Dresden. The emergency responders, including firefighters, police, and city administration staff, were focusing on damage control at the moment-mainly due to the issue at Carolabridge in Dresden.
