Part of bridge in Patras collapses: Dead, injured, people trapped in rubble

A road bridge in Patras partially collapsed early afternoon Sunday. At least, two people have killed, several people have been injured and and unknown number trapped under the rubble.

The part that collapsed in Mpozaitika area was some 40 meters long. The bridge in was undergoing maintenance work for the last 2 years and was built 15 years ago.

At the time of the collapse, a heavy type machine was on the bridge deck allegedly to open holes.

Under the bridge were 6 members from the nearby Roma community collecting scrap.

One man said that they were collecting scrap when the bridge collapsed and he survived only because he was a few meters away.

#Πάτρα, τραυματίας: "Σκοτωθήκαμε, εγω και ο αδερφός μου βγάζαμε κάτι παλιοσίδερα και έπεσε η γέφυρα απάνω μας! Γλύτωσα από θαύμα γιατί ήμουν στη γωνία, έχει 2-3 άτομα κάτω, ΠΕΘΑΜΕΝΟΥΣ!" pic.twitter.com/4hv5TCRhU8

— Καθίκι (@KYTKYTKYTKYTKYT) July 23, 2023

Dozens of firefighter as well as rescuers of EMAK Fire Service, Police and ambulances rushed to the spot, there are currently efforts to free people from the rubble.

The first rescued worker was taken to the hospital. According to local media, two more people were later pulled from the rubble, the health condition is not known.

Skai TV reported that at least 5 people were under the bridge, while an unknown number of workers were working on the bridge deck.

In a short statement, a local official said that there have been warnings that the bridge would collapse.

Νικος Γιαπράκας: "Πως γίνονταν οι εργασίες Κυριακή μεσημερι και με ΚΑΥΣΩΝΑ;
👉Υπήρχε άδεια για τις εργασίες; Ποιος έδωσε την άδεια, την έχουμε χρυσοπληρώσει και είναι το γιοφύρι της Άρτας!"
ΣΚΟΤΩΣΑΝ τον κόσμο, υπάρχουν εγκλωβισμένοι κάτω από τη γέφυρα!#Πατρα pic.twitter.com/YX3ihkZLZk

— Καθίκι (@KYTKYTKYTKYTKYT) July 23, 2023

Head of Earthquake Prevention and Protection Efthymios Lekkas told state ERT Tv that the bridge was known to have static problems.

Members of the regional government have called on the contractor for explanations.

Note that at the time of the collapse temperatures in the area were at 42 degrees Celsius and workers are not allowed to work under such extreme weather conditions.

PS I have to note that there is a lot of misinformation going around as there is no official statement, so far. State ERT TV reported at 3 p.m. that there was one dead, 10 injured and some still under the rubble.

A bunch of people on social media mostly blame the Roma for the collapse claiming that they pulled iron bars out with bare hands [seriously!?]