By Natalia Rueda 
On the morning of May 31, the city of Barranquilla in Colombia was shaken by an unexpected tragedy when a bridge connecting the city with the neighboring municipality of Soledad suddenly collapsed. This bridge, which had been in service for more than 30 years, was an important traffic route in the area and its collapse caused chaos and consternation throughout the community.
According to initial reports, two vehicles and a motorcycle fell into the deep hole created by the collapse, claiming the lives of at least four people. Emergency services immediately rushed to the scene, rescuing the injured and recovering the bodies of those who could not escape the fatal fall. The injured were taken to nearby health care centers for medical attention.
This tragic incident has generated debate and questions about the safety of infrastructure in Colombia, and has highlighted the importance of proper maintenance and supervision. Soledad’s Secretary of Government, Carlos Valencia, revealed that in January of this year they had requested the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI) to review the bridge, but apparently no action was taken.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Colombia has witnessed an accident of this type due to the lack of investment and poor maintenance of its bridges and roads. The population demands answers and solutions from the government, as the safety and well-being of citizens must be a top priority.