02.09.2026 12:11
A newly completed 60-meter suspension bridge in Indonesia toppled sideways during its opening ceremony due to excessive load. Despite a capacity warning of 3 people, 50 people who got on it fell from a height of about 20 meters, and miraculously no lives were lost in the disaster.
The opening ceremony of the new suspension bridge, built with great excitement in Margacinta village in West Java, Indonesia, ended in disaster. The Pongpet Suspension Bridge, on which far more people than its carrying capacity climbed at the same time in the enthusiasm of the opening, overturned to one side as one of its main cables snapped. Around 50 people at a height of about 20 meters experienced a life-and-death struggle within seconds, either falling down or trying to cling to the wires.
50 PEOPLE GOT ON A BRIDGE WITH A CAPACITY FOR 3
The 60-meter-long crossing was built as a critical line connecting surrounding villages to schools, hospitals, and workplaces. Authorities stated that local people had been warned that, for safety reasons, at most 3 people should cross the bridge at the same time. However, the crowd and excitement created by the opening ceremony prevented these warnings from being heeded.
"THE GROUND BENEATH US SLIPPED"
Describing the moments of horror, Margacinta Village Head Enceng Anwar Solihin stated that the structure began to sway just before the incident, conveying the panic with these words: "The bridge was already swaying left and right. Just as I asked the governor next to me, 'Aren't you afraid?', the ground beneath us slipped."
"IT DIDN'T COLLAPSE COMPLETELY, THE CABLE SNAPPED"
Miraculously, no one died in the incident, while several people, including the Head of the Public Works Department, Ling Ling Nugraha Senjaya, were slightly injured. Speaking on behalf of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD), which contributed to the construction of the structure, Brigadier General Donny Pramono denied claims that the bridge had completely collapsed. Pramono confirmed that due to excessive weight, the suspension cable on the left side snapped from its connection point, causing the structure to shift sideways.
Following the opening, after the 60-meter suspension bridge was temporarily closed to traffic, efforts were initiated to increase security measures and carry out necessary repairs.