Bridge collapses in Guairá, narrowly avoiding new victim

An old wooden bridge that connected the Capellán company in Coronel Martínez with Tebicuary has finally collapsed, despite local residents having closed it off due to its severe deterioration. A man on a bicycle managed to cross the structure mere seconds before it gave way.

The aging wooden structure spanned the Tebicuarymí River, linking Capellán with the Paraguayan Sugar Company (AZPA) in Tebicuary. The bridge was already in an advanced state of decay and was considered a significant risk to those who continued to use it. Residents had taken the step of closing the passage over a month prior, posting a sign to prevent people and vehicles from crossing, fearing a collapse, especially after a main beam was damaged.

Despite the closure, some residents continued to use the old crossing due to its direct connection between the two communities. One such individual was the cyclist who crossed just before the collapse. Local accounts state the driver managed to reach the other side with his truck, and only seconds later, the structure failed. The driver reportedly alerted others to the bridge's collapse.

This incident has reignited concerns among the population, particularly because the bridge's poor condition had previously led to a fatal accident. In November 2024, a motorcyclist, Agustín Ortiz, fell into the river from approximately 20 meters after a section of the bridge crumbled. Ortiz died at the scene. At that time, neighbors had already warned about the bridge's terrible state and demanded repairs or a new structure. Since then, the bridge continued to deteriorate until residents themselves decided to block access, though this did not deter everyone due to its continued utility.