South Africa bridge collapse kills two on M1 highway

Five people are believed to be in critical condition following the tragedy

( EPA)

A temporary bridge has collapsed onto one of South Africa’s busiest roads, killing at least two people.

A taxi driver was reportedly among those who died when the bridge buckled onto the M1 motorway in Sandton, Johannesburg, on Wednesday afternoon.

Reports suggest a third person may also have been killed, Phindile Chauke, a spokesperson Johannesburg's Mayor Parks Tau, told News24.

At least 20 people have been injured, including five who are believed to be in critical condition.

Following the collapse, emergency services were trying to free people from a vehicle trapped underneath the bridge's scaffolding.

Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesman for Johannesburg Emergency Services, told news channel eNCA: “There is an unconfirmed number of people trapped in the vehicle and emergency workers are attempting to get them out.

“There was a taxi also involved in the accident. People that were in the taxi are being treated at the scene for minor injuries.”

Photos showing a vehicle partly crushed beneath the red scaffolding have emerged.

The accident also led to road closures and traffic jams during rush hour.

Contractor Murray & Roberts had erected the bridge as part of a construction project, which was designed to connect Sandton with the neighbourhood of Alexandra.

In a statement, the company said: “Murray & Roberts can confirm that this afternoon, a support structure that was erected to enable the construction of a pedestrian bridge… collapsed.”

“The exact cause of the incident is not known at this time. All our incident response procedures have been initiated, our support services have been [mobilised] and relevant authorities have been advised,” the statement said.

Nthatisi Modingoane, a spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg, told Eyewitness News: “We want to institute a proper investigation so that we can get to the bottom of this issue because people have lost lives, people have been injured and they have had their property damaged.”

Additional reporting by AP and Reuters