4 dead, 24 rescued in Bohol bridge collapse

MANILA, Philippines — Four persons, including a foreign tourist, were killed and 24 others were rescued after Clarin Bridge in Loay town in Bohol collapsed on Wednesday.

Twelve vehicles crossing the bridge fell into Loboc River in Barangay Poblacion Ubos at around 4:18 p.m., Lt. Thomas Zen Cheung, Bohol police spokesman, said.

Among the fatalities was Austrian tourist Michael Ouschan, who was vacationing with his wife in Bohol. He drowned when their rented vehicle fell into the water.

The other fatalities were identified as Arnes Silos, Emilia Gemina and Epifania Onada.

The injured were brought to a hospital for treatment.

No one was reported missing and all the 12 vehicles had been recovered as of 5 p.m. yesterday, Cheung said.

Bohol Gov. Arthur Yap said Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials told him that stationary vehicle traffic could have caused the bridge to collapse.

“There were a lot of cargo vehicles on the bridge. It could not take the weight, according to engineer Magiting Cruz,” Yap said referring to the head of the third district engineering office in Bohol.

Loay Mayor Hilario Ayuban said the DPWH has not updated the load capacity of the bridge since it was damaged by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in 2013.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Malacañang condoled with the families of the victims even as the government assured them of assistance.

“We express our condolences to the families of the victims who perished... We likewise pray for the swift recovery of those who were injured,” acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said yesterday. – Alexis Romero, Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Iris Hazel Mascardo/The Freeman