Negligence found in Espoo bridge collapse

Police found negligence of several people in the incident of the Espoo pedestrian bridge collapse in May 2023.

Police completed the investigation into the incident and decided to forward the case to the prosecutor office next week for further course of action, said police in a press release on Friday.

Dozens of people including 22 children and one teacher were injured when the temporary bridge collapsed at Tapiola in Espoo on May 11, 2023.

Head of the investigation, Detective Inspector Matti Högman said that the investigation started immediately after the accident and continued for a long as a total of 38 interested people who were in danger in the situation were testified.

In addition, eyewitnesses and personnel from the City of Espoo were testified, Högman added.

Based on the preliminary investigation, police suspected that the accident took place due to negligence of several people.

The bridge, which had been in use for about one and a half year, was structurally inadequate for its intended purpose and its load-bearing capacity did not meet the requirements.

The investigation also revealed that the temporary bridge structure was not officially supervised by any party.

“The police suspect eight people, including representatives from both the bridge construction company and the City of Espoo. Two people are suspected of negligent breach of official duty,” Högman added.

In May 2023, inspection finds faults in support of collapse Tapiola bridge.

In February 2024, an investigation report published by the Safety Investigation Authority of Finland (Otkes) said that the structures of the bridge that collapsed in Espoo in May 2023 were inadequate and it was dangerous for its purpose of use.

The city decided to close and inspect all temporary bridges in the area due to the accident on 11 May.