VYAZMA, Russia – A woman is dead and five others are injured after a road bridge collapsed onto railway tracks in Vyazma, western Russia, on Monday, April 8th.

The Paninsky overpass, reportedly in poor condition, gave way around 4 pm local time. Local residents had reportedly voiced concerns about the bridge’s safety in the past.

“The woman from the passenger vehicle died,” a spokesperson for the regional Emergency Situations Ministry told RIA Novosti. “The man from the truck is in serious condition.” Several other vehicles were believed to be on the bridge at the time of the collapse.

The collapse caused significant damage, with six of the bridge’s seven spans falling. Train traffic in the area has been halted, and about 8,000 households are without gas due to damaged pipelines.

Emergency personnel are working through the night to clear the debris and restore train service as quickly as possible. Three of the injured have been transferred to hospitals in Moscow for further treatment, while a 14-year-old girl is receiving care at a local facility.

Smolensk region governor Vasiliy Anokhin expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and pledged a thorough investigation into the cause of the collapse. The governor highlighted the age of the bridge as a possible contributing factor.

This incident raises concerns about the state of infrastructure in Russia, particularly older bridges. Local authorities are under pressure to ensure the safety of residents and address any potential issues with aging infrastructure.