The Nettelhorsterbrug is a bridge being built by the Royal BAM Group over the Twentekanaal as part of provincial road N346 [nl] in Lochem, 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 am Central European Time (UTC+1), a segment of the Nettelhorsterbrug under construction collapsed, resulting in two fatalities and two to five injuries.[2]

2024 Nettelhorsterbrug collapse
Date21 February 2024
Time11:00 am (CET; UTC+1)
LocationLochem, Netherlands
Coordinates52°09′53″N 6°25′47″E / 52.16481°N 6.42979°E / 52.16481; 6.42979
TypeBridge collapse
Deaths2
Non-fatal injuries2–5

Bridge

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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] in Ghent, 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]

Collapse

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Bekendmaking winnende namen voor de bruggen in Lochem". www.gelderland.nl (in Dutch).
  2. ^ "2 workers die after part of a bridge being built over a Dutch canal collapses". AP News. February 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem 'uitzonderlijk' project". RTL Nieuws (in Dutch). 21 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Aankomst brugdelen voor de Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem". www.gelderland.nl (in Dutch).
  5. ^ "Aankomst brugdelen voor de Nettelhorsterbrug in Lochem | BAM Infra Nederland". www.baminfra.nl (in Dutch). 9 February 2024.
  6. ^ Brig in aanbouw over Twentekanaal ingestort, zeker drie zwaargewond, infrasite.nl, 21 February 2024
  7. ^ De sterkste schakel, Wurck.nl
  8. ^ a b c d "Arbeidsinspectie onderzoekt 'zeker nog een week' bouwplaats in Lochem". NOS. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  9. ^ King, Jordan (2024-02-21). "Two dead and two injured after bridge collapses in Netherlands". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  10. ^ "2 Killed, 2 Injured In Netherlands Bridge Collapse". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  11. ^ "Bridge under construction collapses in Lochem; Two killed, two hurt". NL Times. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Experts: Niet slechte kranen, maar gebroken hijspunt oorzaak dodelijk brugongeval Lochem". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Slachtoffers brugongeluk Lochem waren allen niet in dienst bij BAM". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 21 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  14. ^ "Een van de gewonden bij brugongeluk Lochem heeft ziekenhuis verlaten". NU.nl (in Dutch). 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Netherlands bridge collapse leaves 2 dead". dw.com.
  16. ^ "Werk op bouwplaats Lochem ligt nog zeker een week stil". RTV Oost. 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2024.