Administrative authorities in the North-West region of Cameroon confirmed that at least four people died after a temporary pedestrian crossing collapsed in Bamenda. The incident occurred on March 26, 2026, at around 6:30 p.m. in the Mile 2 Nkwen area of Bamenda III, as heavy rainfall hit the zone.

According to the Senior Divisional Officer of Mezam, the structure served as a temporary crossing during the reconstruction of a bridge under the Bamenda Urban Crossing Project.

In an initial assessment, the administrative authority stated that the collapse of the temporary bridge “unfortunately resulted in the loss of four human lives and the rescue of five others.” Simon Emile Mooh said that rescue teams recovered the four bodies downstream in the Mulang neighborhood, with rapid support from local residents and military rescue units.

Rescue operations continued after the incident, while several local sources also reported missing persons.

Incident Renews Warning Over High-Risk Areas

This latest tragedy occurred as authorities reiterated calls for vigilance amid the return of rains and heightened risks of flooding and landslides. In Bamenda, stakeholders frequently highlight the vulnerability of temporary structures and flood-prone roads, particularly in neighborhoods crossed by waterways or reliant on provisional infrastructure.

Moreover, the incident underscores the fragility of transitional infrastructure in construction zones. Beyond the human toll, it highlights the rising cost of climate-related hazards on urban mobility and public safety in a region already facing significant infrastructure maintenance and planning constraints.

Pressure on infrastructure could intensify further as the rainy season progresses.

Source: Sbbc