Drivers still risk crossing collapsed bridge in Greece

GREECE: A bridge that officially collapsed and has been closed to traffic since 2023 is still being used by some motorists in Greece's Thessaly region.

The Palaiopyrgos Bridge gave way after it could not withstand the strong currents and severe flooding brought by Storm Daniel, which struck the country in September 2023.

It was one of 79 bridges in Thessaly that were damaged or rendered unusable by the storm, which caused extensive destruction to key infrastructure in the area.

Linking riverside communities in the municipalities of Tempi and Agia, the Palaiopyrgos Bridge is an important route for local residents.

Its condition, however, is now deeply worrying. The structure appears to sag, with its middle section sitting just inches above the waters of the Pineios River.

No barriers installed

Although officially shut to traffic since 2023, the bridge has neither been barricaded nor repaired. That has allowed those who ignore the warning signs put up for safety reasons to keep driving across it.

Drone footage recorded by the newspaper Larissanet Daily shows a Ford Ranger inching slowly across the collapsed span, as though negotiating an obstacle course, before finally reaching the other side.

According to local residents, many drivers are willing to take the risk because alternative routes require a much longer journey, costing them time and more fuel.

More worryingly, tourists are also reported to be frequently directed onto the collapsed bridge, leaving them to either turn back after spotting the warning signs or gamble on crossing it.

Storm Daniel was among the worst weather disasters to hit Greece, and its impact on Thessaly's network of bridges continues to be felt by residents today. – AGENCIES