View source for Nanfang'ao Bridge

{{short description|Collapsed bridge in Yilan County, Taiwan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox bridge
| name                = Nanfang'ao Bridge
| native_name         = 南方澳大橋
| native_name_lang    = zh-tw
| image               = 2023 Nanfangao Bridge.jpg
| image_upright       =
| alt                 =
| caption             = The new Nanfangao Bridge
| coordinates         = {{coord|24|35|9|N|121|52|10|E|type:landmark_region:TW|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference   =
| carries             =
| crosses             =
| locale              = [[Su'ao]], [[Yilan County, Taiwan|Yilan County]], [[Taiwan]]
| official_name       =
| other_name          =
| named_for           =
| owner               =
| maint               = [[Taiwan International Ports Corporation]]
| heritage            =
| id                  =
| id_type             =
| website             =
| preceded            =
| followed            =
| design              = [[tied-arch bridge]]
| material            = steel
| material1           =
| material2           =
| length              = {{Convert|140|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| width               = {{Convert|15|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| height              = {{Convert|18|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| depth               =
| traversable         =
| towpath             =
| mainspan            =
| number_spans        =
| piers_in_water      =
| load                =
| clearance_above     =
| clearance_below     =
| lanes               =
| life                =
| num_track           =
| track_gauge         =
| structure_gauge     =
| electrification     =
| architect           =
| designer            = MAA Consultants
| contracted_designer =
| winner              =
| engineering         =
| builder             =
| fabricator          =
| begin               = {{start date and age|1996}}
| complete            = {{start date and age|1998}}
| cost                =
| open                =
| inaugurated         =
| rebuilt             =
| collapsed           = {{end date and age|2019|10|01|df=y}}
| closed              =
| replaces            = Old Nanfang'ao Bridge
| replaced_by         =
| traffic             =
| toll                =
}}
The '''Nanfang'ao Bridge''' ({{zh|t=南方澳大橋|s=南方澳大桥|first=t|p=Nánfāng'ào Dàqiáo}}) was a bridge in [[Nanfang'ao Fishing Port]], [[Su'ao|Su'ao Township]], [[Yilan County, Taiwan|Yilan County]], [[Taiwan]]. It was the only steel single-arch bridge in Taiwan and was maintained by [[Taiwan International Ports Corporation]].<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910020016.aspx|title=Maintenance report reveals problems on Yilan bridge 3 years ago &#124; Society &#124; FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS|website=focustaiwan.tw}}</ref> Construction began in 1996, and was finished in 1998. The bridge collapsed on 1 October 2019, killing six people and injuring 12.
==History==
[[File:Nanfangao Bridge View From North 20130504a.JPG|thumb|left|Nanfang'ao Bridge before collapse.]]
The bridge was designed by MAA Consultants ({{zh|t=亞新工程顧問股份有限公司}}) and built by [[Yilan County Government]]. The construction started in 1996 and was commissioned by [[Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan)|Ministry of Transportation and Communications]]. It was finally opened to the public in 1998 and was transferred to Keelung Port Bureau (now [[Taiwan International Ports Corporation]] (TIPC)) for its management.<ref name="auto2"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/taiwan-bridge-collapses-under-busy-traffic-crushing-boats-20191001-p52wmr.html|title=Rescue underway following Taiwan Bridge collapse|date=1 Oct 2019|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="TN">{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3787909|title=Breaking News: Bridge collapses in NE Taiwan,...|first=Taiwan|last=News|website=Taiwan News|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref> The bridge was constructed to replace the former lower bridge around the same area so that large fishing vessels could pass through underneath it.<ref name="CBS">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bridge-collapse-in-taiwan-caught-on-video-oil-tanker-falls-onto-boats-nanfangao-bay-today-2019-10-01/|title=Bridge collapse in Taiwan sends oil tanker truck tumbling onto boats in fishing harbor|website=www.cbsnews.com|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref>
Since its opening, it was only inspected once by [[Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology]] in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2019/10/04/2003723358|title=Bridge only inspected once, TIPC says - Taipei Times|website=www.taipeitimes.com|access-date=2019-10-03}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910020016.aspx|title=Maintenance report reveals problems on Yilan bridge 3 years ago {{!}} Society {{!}} FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS|website=focustaiwan.tw|access-date=2019-10-03}}</ref> During the inspection, it was found that the bridge's [[expansion joint]]s were "obviously warped, damaged and sagging."<ref name=":0" /> From 2017 to 2018, TIPC spent NT$10 million to clean the expansion joints and other reinforcement works.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2019/10/01/taiwan-bridge-collapse-crushes-fishing-boats-some-crew-feared-trapped|title=Taiwan bridge collapse crushes fishing boats, six crew feared trapped|date=1 Oct 2019|website=The Star Online|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref>
===Collapse===
{{Infobox event
| title                    = Bridge collapse
| image                    = Nanfangao Bridge collapse 20191001.jpg
| image_upright            =
| image_alt                =
| caption                  = The collapsed Nanfang'ao Bridge
| native_name              =
| native_name_lang         =
| english_name             =
| time                     = 09:30 (UTC+8)
| duration                 =
| date                     = {{start date|2019|10|01|df=y}}
| venue                    =
| location                 = Su'ao, Yilan County, Taiwan
| coordinates              = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} -->
| also_known_as            =
| type                     =
| theme                    =
| cause                    =
| motive                   =
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| first_reporter           =
| budget                   =
| patron                   = <!-- or |patrons= -->
| organisers               = <!-- or |organizers= -->
| filmed_by                =
| participants             =
| outcome                  =
| casualties1              =
| casualties2              =
| casualties3              =
| reported deaths          = 6
| reported injuries        = 12
| reported missing         =
| reported property damage =
| burial                   =
| inquiries                =
| inquest                  =
| coroner                  =
| arrests                  =
| suspects                 =
| accused                  =
| convicted                =
| charges                  =
| trial                    =
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| publication_bans         =
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| url                      =
| blank_label              = <!-- or |blank_data= -->
| blank1_label             = <!-- or |blank1_data= -->
| blank2_label             = <!-- or |blank2_data= -->
| website                  = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| notes                    =
}}
On 1 October 2019 at 09:30 the bridge collapsed, injuring more than 20 people, many of whom were on fishing vessels in the harbor below.<ref>{{cite web |title=Taiwan bridge collapse |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-49901117/taiwan-bridge-collapse |website=BBC News |accessdate=3 October 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910010003.aspx|title=Nanfang'ao Bridge in Yilan collapses |website=focustaiwan.tw|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/01/world/asia/taiwan-bridge-collapse.html|title=Bridge Collapses in Taiwan; Oil Truck Plunges Moments Away From Crossing|first1=Daniel|last1=Victor|first2=Chris|last2=Horton|date=1 Oct 2019|accessdate=1 Oct 2019|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Video shows an oil tanker truck nearly making it across to the other side when the bridge collapsed, sending the truck hurtling into the water, whereupon it burst into flames. There were in total six people on the bridge during the collapse.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/news/2019/10/nanfangao-bridge-collapse/|title=Nanfangao Bridge Collapse: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|first=Paul|last=Farrell|date=1 October 2019}}</ref> The collapsing bridge damaged three fishing boats beneath it, injuring and trapping a number of migrant workers who were on the boats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3788997|title=Fishing boat owner mourns deaths of foreign c...|first=Taiwan|last=News|website=Taiwan News}}</ref>
Local authorities requested the [[Republic of China Armed Forces|armed forces]] to help in the search and rescue operation, who were then followed by<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/taiwan-bridge-collapse-crushes-fishing-boats-feared-trapped-191001043012107.html|title=Taiwan bridge collapse crushes fishing boats, some feared trapped|website=www.aljazeera.com|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref> the [[Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan)|Coast Guard Administration]], [[Ministry of National Defense (Republic of China)|Ministry of National Defense]] and [[National Airborne Service Corps]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910010004.aspx|title=10 injured, 6 still trapped at bridge collapse site in Yilan |website=focustaiwan.tw|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref> President [[Tsai Ing-wen]] said, "We hope to safely rescue all in the shortest time to minimise the damages".<ref name="CBS"/>
Search and rescue operation teams faced difficulties in finding the missing people due to the underwater location which had low [[visibility]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/460-foot-bridge-collapses-in-nanfangao-taiwan-crushes-boats-6-feared-trapped-2110317|title=On Camera, 460-Foot Bridge Collapses In Taiwan, Crushes Boats|website=NDTV.com}}</ref> As of 3 October 2019, there had been six confirmed deaths.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Sixth body found after Yilan bridge collapse &#124; Society &#124; FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910030009.aspx|website=focustaiwan.tw}}</ref> All of the bodies had been brought to the Su'ao Branch of [[Taipei Veterans General Hospital]].<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2019/10/03/2003723305|title=Death toll from bridge collapse hits five - Taipei Times|website=www.taipeitimes.com}}</ref>
The day before the bridge collapsed, the area was hit by [[Typhoon Mitag (2019)|Typhoon Mitag]], and struck by a 3.8 magnitude earthquake at 01:54 in the early morning before the collapse.<ref name="TN" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3788140|title=Snapped cables at center of investigation int...|first=Taiwan|last=News|website=Taiwan News}}</ref><ref name="ABC-2Oct2019">{{cite news |title=Four dead and two missing after Taiwan bridge collapse, with 10 hospitalised |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-02/four-dead-and-two-missing-after-taiwan-bridge-collapse/11568192?section=world |accessdate=5 October 2019 |work=ABC News |agency=Reuters/AP |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2 October 2019}}</ref> However, MAA Consultants were not able to determine the actual cause before the crucial broken parts of the structure have been recovered.<ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Nationality || Number of<br />injured || Number of<br />deaths<ref>{{Cite web|last=台灣英文新聞|title=【南方澳斷橋】第6名移工遺體發現、搜救結束 油罐車司機仍在加護病房|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/ch/news/3788074|access-date=2020-11-27|website=台灣英文新聞}}</ref>
|- valign=top
| {{INA}} ||   3|| 3
|- valign=top
| {{PHI}} || 5<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/10/2/filipinos-dead-taiwan-bridge-collapse.html|title=Two Filipinos dead, 1 missing in Taiwan bridge collapse|website=cnn|language=en|access-date=2019-10-03|archive-date=3 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003231711/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/10/2/filipinos-dead-taiwan-bridge-collapse.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>  || 3
|- valign=top
| {{PRC}} || 3 ||
|- valign="top"
|'''Total'''|| 12<ref name=":0" />|| 6
|}
==== Post collapse recovery, investigations and reactions ====
The oil tanker driver, 61-year-old Zhang Jianchang ({{Lang-zh|c=|s=|t=張建昌|p=|labels=no}}), was rescued from the burning wreckage immediately after the collapse by four workers from a nearby petrol station located 30 meters away.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=南方澳斷橋救油罐車司機 四英雄受表揚|url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%8D%97%E6%96%B9%E6%BE%B3%E6%96%B7%E6%A9%8B%E6%95%91%E6%B2%B9%E7%BD%90%E8%BB%8A%E5%8F%B8%E6%A9%9F-%E5%9B%9B%E8%8B%B1%E9%9B%84%E5%8F%97%E8%A1%A8%E6%8F%9A-000000576.html|access-date=2020-11-27|website=tw.news.yahoo.com|language=zh-Hant-TW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=游芳男|last2=陳韻如|date=2 October 2019|title=南方澳斷橋／油罐車司機「脾臟出血」已止！預計4日手術 主治醫：情況樂觀 {{!}} ETtoday社會新聞 {{!}} ETtoday新聞雲|url=https://www.ettoday.net/news/20191002/1547692.htm|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-11-27|website=www.ettoday.net|language=zh-Hant}}</ref> Zhang suffered multiple fractures, spinal, and internal injuries. He underwent emergency surgery and was warded in the intensive care unit at the [[Luodong Bo-ai Hospital|Luodong Bo’ai Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://taiwanenglishnews.com/bridge-collapses-in-yilan-county-12-injured-5-missing/|title=Bridge collapses in Yilan County, 12 injured, 5 missing|last=Charlier|first=Phillip|date=2019-10-01|website=Taiwan English News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-03}}</ref> As of 31 October 2019, Zhang was recovering from his injuries.<ref name=":3" />
The [[Republic of China Armed Forces|armed forces]] deployed a floating platform to retrieve debris and the boats stuck under the bridge.<ref name="auto3" /> President Tsai promised a thorough investigation of the incident and that all bridges in Taiwan would undergo inspection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/10/01/video-captures-terrifying-collapse-foot-bridge-taiwan/|title=Video captures terrifying collapse of 450-foot bridge in Taiwan|first=Kim|last=Bellware|via=www.washingtonpost.com}}</ref>
Most of the arches of the bridge were cleared on 10 October 2019, totaling 320 tonnes.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Worthy|last1=Shen|first2=Hsin-yin|last2=Lee|date=10 October 2019|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910100012.aspx|title=Arches of collapsed Yilan bridge removed, port operations resume|publisher=Focus Taiwan|accessdate=11 October 2019}}</ref>
In November 2020, [[Taiwan Transportation Safety Board]] published the final investigation regarding the collapse of the bridge. The findings were that the bridge collapsed due to [[corrosion]], lack of proper [[Maintenance (technical)|maintenance]] and lack of repair. By the time of the incident, the supporting steel cables had only 22–27% of functional [[Cross section (geometry)|cross-section area]] left.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|date=25 November 2020|url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202011250017|title=TTSB details reasons for Nanfang'ao Bridge collapse - Focus Taiwan|website=Focus Taiwan|accessdate=27 November 2020}}</ref>
In August 2022, the Yilan District Prosecutors' Office charged six people involved in the construction of the bridge with negligence.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wang |first1=Chao-yu |last2=Hsu |first2=Elizabeth |title=6 indicted on negligence charges in deadly Nanfang'ao Bridge collapse |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202208300031 |access-date=1 September 2022 |agency=Central News Agency |date=31 August 2022}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Six charged over deadly bridge collapse in Yilan |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2022/09/01/2003784548 |access-date=1 September 2022 |work=Taipei Times |date=1 September 2022}}</ref>
==== Aftermath ====
The [[Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Taiwan)|Ministry of Transportation and Communications]] stated that a new bridge will be built at the same spot within three years.<ref name="auto2"/> The design and [[Request for tender|tender]] for the new bridge will be overseen by [[Public Construction Commission]].<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/10/04/2003723373|title=Nationwide bridge inspection ordered - Taipei Times|website=www.taipeitimes.com}}</ref>
On 3 October 2019, [[Premier of the Republic of China|Premier]] [[Su Tseng-chang]] ordered inspections of all bridges in Taiwan.<ref name="auto4"/>
Due to the fact that many migrant fishermen sleep inside their fishing vessels during night time, a dangerous condition in the case of similar bridge collapse incident to happen again, the Labor Affairs Department of [[Yilan County Government]] started the planning to build onshore accommodation for those migrant workers at [[Nanfang'ao Fishing Port]]. The project will be broken down into three phases and last for three years, with the ultimate goal of providing the accommodation for all of the migrant fishermen.<ref>{{cite news|first1=William|last1=Yen|date=8 October 2019|url=http://focustaiwan.tw/news/asoc/201910080018.aspx|title=Yilan planning onshore accommodation for migrant fishermen|publisher=Focus Taiwan|accessdate=10 October 2019}}</ref>
==== New bridge ====
[[File:Su'Ao's Nanfangao Aerial Panorama.jpg|thumb|Su'Ao's Nanfangao Aerial Panorama. Shot December 2022]]
The construction of the new bridge to replace the collapsed one started in October 2020. It is overseen by [[Directorate General of Highways]]. The cost of the construction is NT$848.5 million and is completed on 18 December 2022.<ref name="auto5"/>
==Technical specification==
The bridge was a single [[tied-arch bridge]] made of steel. It had a length of {{convert|140|m|sp=us}}, a width of {{convert|15|m|sp=us}} and a passage height for vessels of {{convert|18|m|sp=us}}.<ref name="TN"/><ref name="CBS"/> The bridge was intended to last 50 years.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/>
==Architecture==
The bridge was decorated with images of fish, shrimps, and crabs, representing the port.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://travel.yilan.tw/en/attraction/details/49|title=Nanfang'ao Bridge|website=Yilan Tourism|accessdate=1 October 2019}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal|Taiwan}}
* [[List of bridge failures]]
* [[List of bridges in Taiwan]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Nanfangao Bridge}}
[[Category:1998 establishments in Taiwan]]
[[Category:2019 disestablishments in Taiwan]]
[[Category:2019 industrial disasters]]
[[Category:Arch bridges in Taiwan]]
[[Category:Bridges completed in 1998]]
[[Category:Bridges in Yilan County, Taiwan]]
[[Category:Former bridges]]
[[Category:Former buildings and structures in Taiwan]]