Bridge collapse in Maysan claims two lives with search for missing third underway

MAYSAN – The collapse of the Al-Tibber Bridge south of Amarah, centre of Maysan governorate, on Sunday resulted in the deaths of a truck driver and a 16-year-old boy who plunged into the river with his motorcycle. Rescue teams are continuing their search for a third individual who was reportedly accompanying the motorcyclist, while another passenger in the truck was successfully rescued.

The bridge, which connects the Al-Kahla district to the Basra-Amarah highway, had previously collapsed twice. Plans to demolish the deteriorating structure and replace it with a concrete bridge were set to begin in the coming days.

“The bridge was in poor condition and couldn’t withstand the weight of the truck loaded with bricks, leading to the collapse of its central section,” said Mohammed Al-Kanani, media director for Maysan Health Department, in a statement to 964 media. “The truck fell into the river, and its driver lost his life.”

Civil defense teams recovered the bodies of the truck driver and the teenage motorcyclist but are facing challenges in retrieving the third missing person due to the bridge’s collapse over the submerged truck. “The search is ongoing for the body of the individual who was riding with the motorcyclist,” Al-Kanani added.