Portuguesa bridge collapses days after inauguration due to heavy rain

A bridge in the La Estación parish of the Ospino municipality, Portuguesa state, collapsed during the early hours of Monday, October 12, following intense rainfall exceeding 126 millimeters.

The structure had been officially inaugurated only three days prior, on Friday, October 9, by Governor Primitivo Cedeño and Mayor Yongeiby Yépez. The heavy rains and subsequent rise in river levels caused the water to undermine one of the bridge's ends, leading to its partial collapse.

The failure has caused significant concern for local residents and producers, particularly coffee farmers who are currently in the middle of the harvest season and rely on this route for transporting goods. The flooding and bridge collapse have also disrupted connectivity in several communities, including La Estación, El Cielito, Bella Vista, Sanarito, Santa Bárbara, and Hacha.