The search continues for those trapped in the wreckage of the bridge in Patras, which collapsed at noon on Sunday (23/7), leaving behind one dead and 8 injured.

For the tragic event the Police made four arrests. One arrested is the project manager and the other three operators. Investigations into the case are ongoing.

It is noted that traffic was prohibited on this particular section of the bridge and was closed by decision of the Achaia Police Directorate from Thursday, July 20.

Voices are heard under the bridge

According to eyewitness accounts voices could be heard under the bridge which collapsed while a drone was also used in the investigations.

The twin bridges were experiencing damage and structural adequacy problems. The restoration works started in 2021 at a cost of 6,517,287.49 euros for the repair of two bridges on the Perimetriki (B601 and K635). The bridges, 167 meters and 169 meters respectively in each traffic branch, are located at the beginning of the Patras Bypass.

The company announcement

The company managing the project issued a statement, in which it states:

AVAX SA informs that today Sunday 23/7/23 at km 206 of the National Road Patras-Pyrgos it was carrying out planned bridge demolition work (direction carrier to Patras).

After the work was stopped and despite the traffic ban and the measures that had been taken, people without work were found on the site who were injured (one of them fatally) by parts of the bridge that collapsed.

The Company has been cooperating closely with the authorities in the investigation of the incident from the very beginning. AVAX SA expresses its deepest condolences to the relatives of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.