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Two cranes collapse in the Netherlands near Rhine river

By Tomas Monzon
Location of Alphen aan den Rijn in the Netherlands. Screenshot: Google Maps
Location of Alphen aan den Rijn in the Netherlands. Screenshot: Google Maps

ALPHEN AAN DEN RIJN, Netherlands, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Two cranes that were restoring a bridge in the Netherlands collapsed Monday onto nearby buildings. No one was injured.

The cranes were aboard a pontoon on the Rhine River as they attempted to hoist a portion of the Juliana Bridge.

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Video from a passerby caught the moment that one of the cranes began to buckle under the weight of the bridge slab and subsequently topple over the buildings onshore. The first crane's fall knocks the second crane down just a few seconds later. Individuals on the pontoon jump off into the river, while residents of the shoreside homes walk onto their balconies to witness the damage.

A 2010 survey had shown the Juliana Bridge to be in poor condition and in need of repair. Work had begun in the spring and was to continue through the summer.

A Dutch first responder team typically reserved for earthquakes was sent to the scene, which later determined that despite enormous structural devastation (including four houses and two shops), it was a "miracle" that no one was injured. Initial reports had estimated 20 injured individuals.

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Prosecutors have opened up an investigation into the accident.

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