Bridge Collapse in Southern Iraq Kills 2, Injures Several

TDT | Manama

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Two people were killed and several others injured after a section of a bridge under construction collapsed in southern Iraq, local authorities reported on Sunday.

The incident occurred late Saturday, and rescue teams worked for more than 13 hours to free those trapped under the twisted wreckage. An AFP photographer at the scene described rescue workers laboring through the night to reach people trapped in their vehicles on the main Karbala-Baghdad road.

Karbala’s civil defence agency confirmed that seven people were rescued and two bodies were recovered from under the collapsed structure. A local health official said at least six people were injured, including some from Syria and Afghanistan. All the injured were taken to a nearby hospital in Karbala, a city that attracts Shiite pilgrims from across the region.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bridge’s pillars gave way while several vehicles were passing underneath.

As Iraq continues rebuilding after decades of conflict, construction projects—including new bridges—are increasing, particularly in Baghdad. However, safety standards are often overlooked, and the country has seen multiple construction accidents and fires in recent years.