This archive report was first published on 1 October 2019.
On October 1, 2019, a devastating bridge collapse occurred in Nanfangao, Taiwan, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos.
A 140-metre long single-arch bridge, built in 1998, suddenly gave way, sending the road tumbling down onto at least three fishing boats below.
A petrol tanker, almost making it across the bridge, followed the road and crashed into the water, bursting into flames and sending a thick plume of black smoke into the air.
Coastguard officials reported that at least 14 people were injured, with the driver of the petrol tanker among those taken to hospital.
President Tsai Ing-wen launched a rescue operation to look for any more injured or missing people, stating, "We hope to safely rescue all in the shortest time to minimise the damages," during a press conference.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse, despite the weather being fine at the time of the incident.
