Bridge Collapses in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula: Puerto Jimenez

According to Costa Rica's La Nacion daily, a portion of the bridge which spans the Rio Rincon in Puerto Jimenez collapsed when a 95-ton crane attempted to cross it. Puerto Jimenez is a fishing community in the southwest Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula,

According to the daily, the 50-year-old Costa Rica bridge was only meant to support 35 tons. The crane sustained severe damage to the cab, but the driver escaped without injury.

Friday's collapse came just short of two weeks after a bridge in Turrubares caved under the weight of a school bus. The vehicle was carrying 38 passengers, and plunged into the Tarcoles River and claimed five lives. The Turrubares collapse lead to serious questions about the Public Works and Transport Ministry's competence to maintain bridges and forced the resignation of ministry head Karla Gonzalez.

In September, The National Emergency Commission (CNE) declared a “red alert” over the state of bridges in Costa Rica after a study revealed that dozens of the country's river crossings were in potentially dangerous conditions.

National Roadway Council (CONAVI) press officials said that a new bridge is under construction between Chacarita and Puerto Jimenez, but for now the only access to the small fishing town is by air or boat.