01.09.2026 18:01
A bridge built in Indonesia at a cost of approximately 724 thousand dollars was the scene of an unexpected accident during its opening ceremony. As a crowd, including senior officials, was crossing the bridge, one of the support cables came loose from its connection. The bridge suddenly tilted to one side, causing terrifying moments for those attending the ceremony and narrowly averting a potential disaster.
The Pongpet Suspension Bridge in Indonesia, which cost approximately 724 thousand dollars (35 million TL), caused a major panic during its opening ceremony. After a large number of officials and citizens stepped onto the bridge at the same time to cross it, one of the supporting cables came off at its connection point. The bridge suddenly tilted to one side, and the ceremony attendees barely managed to save themselves.
CLOSE CALL WITH DISASTER AT OPENING CEREMONY
The incident occurred in Margacinta village in the Pangandaran district of West Java province. During the ceremony held for the opening of the approximately 60-meter-long Pongpet Suspension Bridge, more than 50 people, including regional administrators, military officials, and citizens, stepped onto the bridge.
While the crowd was moving across the bridge, one of the supporting cables detached from its main connection point. As a result, the bridge began to tilt to one side. During the panic, some people fell from the bridge and were slightly injured.
LIMIT ON NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE BRIDGE HAD BEEN IMPOSED
In the inspection conducted after the incident, it was revealed that there were warnings at the bridge entrance indicating that a maximum of 3 people or 1 motorcycle could cross at a time. It was stated that the bridge's carrying capacity was approximately 2 tons.
However, during the opening, it was reported that a crowd well above this limit had gotten onto the bridge.
OFFICIALS APOLOGIZED
Lieutenant Colonel Czi Citra Kurniawan, commander of the military unit responsible for the bridge's construction, apologized, stating that it was a mistake not to control the number of people who went onto the bridge during the opening.
It was announced that the bridge had not completely collapsed, the main supporting structure remained in place, and the problem occurred when the supporting cable came out of its connection.
NO LOSS OF LIFE
No loss of life occurred in the event, which was marked by terrifying moments. It was reported that some people were slightly injured. The bridge was temporarily closed to use for safety reasons, and a technical investigation and repair work were initiated.
The bridge, which drew attention with its cost of approximately 724 thousand dollars, becoming unusable at its very first opening due to the weight of the ceremony attendees became a topic of agenda in the country.