Trucks still in river after bridge collapse<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana, Subang<\/p>\n
Rescuers were still attempting on Sunday to lift out two trucks
\nthat plunged into a river along with five other vehicles when the
\nCipunegara Bridge collapsed in Subang regency two days ago.<\/p>\n
As a result of the bridge's collapse, traffic on one of the
\nmost congested stretches of the north coast highway in West Java
\nwas reduced to a virtual standstill.<\/p>\n
To ease the congestion, vehicles traveling east from Jakarta
\nto Central Java were rerouted along an alternative route via
\nJalang Sadang (Subang) - Cikamurang (Indramayu) - Kadipatan
\n(Majalengka) - Palimanan (Cirebon).<\/p>\n
\"In general, the traffic is now more or less back to normal
\nafter the alternative route was introduced,\" Subang Police chief
\nAdj. Sr. Comr. Agnes Supraptiningsih told reporters.<\/p>\n
No fatalities were reported after the bridge, located at
\nMulyasari village in Pamanukan district, some 30 kilometers north
\nof Subang, collapsed at 11:15 p.m. on Friday night.<\/p>\n
However, eight people were injured and at least 15 cows died
\nas the truck transporting them was among the vehicles that were
\nplunged into the river.<\/p>\n
Police and transportation officers assisted by local residents
\nhave pulled five vehicles and one motorcycle from the river, and
\nare now working hard to pull out the other two trucks.<\/p>\n
The slow progress was due to the lack of suitable equipment
\nand the awkward positions in which the two trucks were sitting,
\nPamanukan Police chief Adj. Comr. Sirap Harsono explained.<\/p>\n
He said the police were investigating the cause of the
\nbridge's collapse, which occurred when traffic along the route
\nwas still at its peak.<\/p>\n
Based on preliminary investigations, Sirap said, the collapse
\nwas triggered by overloading and \"the age\" of the bridge, which
\nin fact was only built in 1978 and opened for use three years
\nlater.<\/p>\n
Minister of Settlement and Regional Infrastructures Soenarno,
\nwho arrived at the scene on Saturday, confirmed that the collapse
\nwas likely due to overloading.<\/p>\n
He also said that the age of the bridge could have also been a
\nfactor.<\/p>\n
Soenarno said his ministry would cooperate with the police and
\nthe Ministry of Transportation in investigating the accident.<\/p>\n
He said the government had actually planned to renovate the
\nCipunegara bridge in 2006, but the bridge's collapse would force
\nthe plan to be brought forward.<\/p>\n
\"I am targeting the repair work to be completed before the
\nsecond round of the presidential election on Sept. 20,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to the minister, at least Rp 2 billion (US$222,222)
\nand a period of one-and-a-half months would be needed to rebuild
\nthe bridge.<\/p>\n
He said the rapid rebuilding of the bridge was essential so as
\nto ensure it was ready for the annual exodus of travelers during
\nthe Idul Fitri holidays, which fall on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
The eight injured, including three with serious wounds, were
\nnamed as Yusuf, 35, Wayan, 57, and Karsono, 45. They are now
\nbeing treated at the Subang General Hospital.<\/p>\n
The severely injured were found trapped inside their vehicles.<\/p>\n
The five victims with light injuries were identified as
\nSuparman, 47, Bambang Sudiarto, 40, Tri Budiyanto, 40, Taba'in,
\n40, and Andi, 21.<\/p>\n
The seven vehicles that plunged into the river consisted of
\nsix large trucks and a Daihatsu Espass minivan. All of them were
\nwrite-offs.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/trucks-still-in-river-after-bridge-collapse-1447893297",
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