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The Digest:

A community in Zamfara State is in mourning after a dilapidated bridge collapsed, claiming the lives of at least 19 wedding guests, including women and children, on Saturday. The vehicle carrying the bride and her family plunged into the river below the failed Gwalli bridge in Gummi Local Government Area, turning a celebration into a catastrophe.

Key Points:
  • The victims were family members of the late Sheikh Dauda Fass, a former state lawmaker.
  • The bride was being transported to her husband’s home in Jega when the bridge gave way.
  • The structure had been in disrepair for years and was only temporarily patched by community efforts.
  • Residents say the bridge was initially rehabilitated under a previous administration, but it eroded due to rainfall seven years ago.
  • Community leaders describe the incident as “avoidable” and are pleading for government intervention.
  • The bridge is a critical link for trade and transportation in the Bardoki region of Gummi.
  • This tragedy highlights the dire state of rural infrastructure and its human cost.
The collapse underscores a recurring theme of neglected public infrastructure and the urgent need for investment to prevent further loss of life.

Sources: Community Reports, PM News