Horror as Bridge Collapses While 30 Children Cross During School Walk

A terrifying school outing in western Ukraine turned dangerous when a wooden bridge collapsed while more than 30 children were crossing it.

The incident happened June 7 in the village of Vyzhenka, located in Chernivtsi Oblast, according to Suspilne Chernivtsi.

Officials said the children, who were between 8 and 15 years old, were students from a Kharkiv sports school. They had reportedly stepped onto a suspension bridge over the Vyzhenka River during a walk when the structure suddenly gave way.

Authorities said the group had been crossing the bridge to take a photo when it collapsed.

Six children were taken to the hospital after the frightening fall.

Dmytro Bilous, director of the city’s children’s hospital, said the injured students were examined by a traumatologist, a neurosurgeon and an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Doctors treated their wounds and provided the medical care they needed.

Fortunately, all six children were diagnosed with minor injuries. None of them required overnight hospitalization, and they were later discharged and allowed to return home.

Police have opened a criminal investigation into the collapse.

A spokesperson for the Chernivtsi Oblast National Police said investigators are looking into whether there was a failure to properly protect the lives and health of the children.

The case was opened under Part 1 of Article 137 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which deals with failures involving child safety.

The pre-trial investigation remains ongoing.

Ukraine’s State Emergency Service also issued a warning after the incident, urging parents, teachers and group leaders to reinforce safety rules with children during outings.