Driver killed in footbridge collapse in northern Algeria

ALGIERS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- One person died and several others were injured on Sunday when a metallic pedestrian footbridge collapsed in the East-West highway in northern Algeria.

The incident occurred when a green metallic footbridge crashed onto a Toyota Coaster transport van and a Renault Kangoo utility vehicle, killing the driver of the utility vehicle and injuring several others, according to local authorities.

The collapse was in the locality of Khemis el Khechna, some 60 km south east of Algiers, according to local authorities.

According to spokesperson of the Fire-fighting Department, Nassim Bernaoui, "the collapse of the footbridge was provoked by a truck which was carrying a crane, as it did not respect the bridge height limit."

The incident also led to long traffic queues on the East-West Highway, as police intervened to clear the road.

An investigation was launched to determine the circumstances of the accident. Enditem