Bridge collapses in Tenerife leaving hundreds without electricity or water
Heavy rainfall and structural instability led to the partial collapse of a bridge in Tenerife this morning (Sunday). The bridge, which spans the Granados ravine in Tacoronte and connects the Santa Catalina district with the Plaza del Cristo, has been closed by the council since April 1st after cracks were detected on its northern side.
In the hours leading up to the collapse, municipal engineers had visited the site with the town’s mayor and Local Police to assess the worsening condition and explore further safety measures. Shortly after their inspection, the northern section of the bridge gave way, leaving a large sinkhole and causing significant damage to the road.
The collapse has also resulted in a disruption to key utilities in the area. Hundreds of households in nearby streets have been left without electricity or access to drinking water, as the incident damaged the general supply infrastructure. The affected areas include Fernández Ocampo, César Galán, Museo Casilda, and the Teobaldo alley.
Emergency works are already underway, teams from the Municipal Works and Services Department have reinforced perimeter fencing at both ends of the bridge to ensure public safety and prevent access to the unstable zone.
The Tacoronte Council have announced they will launch all necessary procedures starting Monday to recover and rebuild the critical infrastructure. The effort will be coordinated with the Tenerife Cabildo and guided by technical experts from the council.
This incident highlights the vulnerability of ageing infrastructure in the face of increasingly extreme weather, a challenge local authorities are being forced to confront more frequently.
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