Mepe, a town already grappling with the aftermath of flooding caused by the Volta River Authority (VRA) spillage, has been struck by yet another unfortunate event.

A steel bridge located at Saikope in the Mepe area of the Volta Region, crucial for connecting the North Tongu town of Juapong to the Central Tongu capital town, Adidome, has collapsed.

The collapse occurred when a fully loaded trailer carrying salt attempted to cross the bridge. 

Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.

In response to the incident, the District Chief Executive, Osborn Devine Fenu, issued a public advisory via his personal Facebook Page. 

He urged motorists to take an alternate route through another Mepe town, Dadome, to access Adidome and Juapong safely.

Investigations are yet to commence into the actual cause of the collapse.

The DCE has alleged overloading of the truck as a possible cause, stating that the fully loaded trailer carrying salt likely surpassed the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, resulting in the bridge's collapse. 

Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

However, it is essential to note that authorities had stationed a warning sign long before the collapse, signalling road users of a "weak bridge ahead" and indicating a maximum load limit of 25 tons. 

Until investigations conclude, it will be challenging to determine the actual cause of the bridge collapse - weak bridge or excess tonnage.

Below is the DCE’s update and advisory as shared on his personal Facebook wall:

Urgent Notice

We woke up to the distressing news of another sudden accident— the collapse of the steel bridge at Saikope-Mepe along the Adidome to Juapong Road.

The report has it that a fully loaded trailer carrying salt, likely surpassing the recommended maximum load of 25 tonnes, traversed the bridge, resulting in its collapse. Fortunately, the driver and the mate are reported to be safe.

We have promptly informed all relevant stakeholders to ensure swift action is taken. The urgent need for a new bridge at the location is abundantly clear.

In the interim, we advise all motorists to utilize the diversion via Dadome to Adidome and Juapong.

In times like this, it’s crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved. This is a challenging situation, but we trust in our collective ability to address it effectively.