- Pieces of the Carola Bridge succumbed in Dresden.
A bit of the Carol Bridge – a major route into Dresden – crumbled into the Elbe throughout the night. The pedestrian and bike path, along with the tram tracks, have been impacted, as per the incident center. As reported by the Dresden Fire Department, roughly 100 meters of the bridge are engaged. Two long-distance heating pipelines have been damaged, spewing out hot water.
No injuries recorded
No injuries have cropped up thus far. According to the Dresden Transport Authority, no tram was traversing the bridge at the time. Consequently, neither passengers nor vehicles faced consequences. On weekdays, lines 3 and 7 run every hour, even at night.
The southern part of the bridge, which extends over Terrassenufer street and a portion of the Elbe, has suffered damage. The fire department disclosed that a one-meter gap has formed at the bridge's edge on the old town side. In addition, the long-distance heating pipelines have been compromised. "At present, long-distance heating is non-functional in the entire city area," the fire department declared. Due to the surging water, portions of Terrassenufer are submerged completely.
Collapse around 3:00 AM
The catalyst behind the bridge's partial collapse around 3:00 AM remains undetermined. The Carol Bridge holds significant importance as one of Dresden's major traffic bridges. The area has been secured. "We urge the public to steer clear of the area and not impede the emergency services," a fire department spokesperson said.
Rural tranquility early in the morning. However, substantial disruptions are anticipated during peak hours, with trams and automobile traffic being redirected. The federal waterway is closed, together with the Elbe cycle path and Terrassenufer. "Presently, specialists from various fields, the city administration, and all the involved partners are assembling to discuss potential subsequent steps," the fire department shared.
The damage to the Carol Bridge has affected not only the tram tracks and pedestrian path but also two long-distance heating pipelines, causing hot water to be spewed out. Due to the bridge's collapse, a one-meter gap has formed in the southern part, near the old town side, and the long-distance heating pipelines in this area have been compromised, leading to the non-functionality of long-distance heating in the entire city area.
