| Date | 21 February 2024 |
|---|---|
| Time | 11:00 am (CET; UTC+1) |
| Location | Lochem, Netherlands |
| Coordinates | 52°09′53″N 6°25′47″E / 52.16481°N 6.42979°E / 52.16481; 6.42979 |
| Type | Bridge collapse |
| Deaths | 2 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2–5 |
The Nettelhorsterbrug is a bridge being built by the Royal BAM Group over the Twentekanaal as part of provincial road N346 [nl]inLochem, the Netherlands. The bridge's name pays homage to the nearby hamlet Nettelhorst [nl], chosen through an electoral process.[1] On 21 February 2024 at 11:00 amCentral European Time (UTC+1), a segment of the Nettelhorsterbrug under construction collapsed, resulting in two fatalities and two to five injuries.[2]
Upon completion, the bridge will span 136 meters in length, 25 meters in height, and 12.5 meters in width, with a total weight of 1.3 million kilograms (2.9 million pounds). Bridges of such dimensions are uncommon in the Netherlands.[3]
Manufactured by Aelterman [nl]inGhent, Belgium, the bridge components were transported to Lochem for assembly due to the unsuitability of the current infrastructure around the Twentekanaal for shipping entire bridge constructions on pontoons.[4][5][6][7]
Part of the bridge collapsed shortly after 11:00 AM local time (UTC+1) on 21 February 2024,[8][9] while workmen were hoisting arches.[10] The rescue operation commenced at 11:11 AM, involving three trauma teams by helicopters and numerous emergency vehicles.[11] Initial assessments by experts suggest that the cranes used were adequate for the task, and the disaster was attributed to a broken lifting point.[12]
The victims of the collapse included two individuals not affiliated with the Royal BAM Group, one employed by Belgian construction company Aertssen and the other of Polish nationality.[13][8] Additionally, two Belgian individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalized, with one discharged from the hospital on 23 February.[13][8][14]
An investigation into the cause of the collapse is being conducted by the Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie [nl],[15] and no work on the bridge will resume for at least a week pending the investigation.[16][8] Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, expressed condolences, describing the accident as "tragic" and extending wishes for strength to the victims and their families.[15]
