Castro, Chile Bridge Collapse Leaves 22 Families Isolated for 12 Days

Heavy rains on 16 July caused a river to wash away a wooden bridge in the Carpe Diem sector north of Castro, Chile, cutting the only road to the community. Twenty‑two families have been without direct road connectivity for 12 days, forcing residents to travel up to an hour to reach the town centre. One neighbour, Hugo González, said the journey now takes about fifty minutes, compared with ten to fifteen minutes before the collapse.

The incident was first reported to provincial presidential delegate Fernando Bórquez, who said the municipality of Castro is responsible for repairing the bridge. Residents claim the municipality has provided only limited emergency material and has not given a clear timetable for a permanent replacement. Two days after the collapse a temporary viaduct was installed, but the permanent wooden bridge remains unrepaired.