Two police officers died when the El Alambrado bridge collapsed on a roadway linking Quindío and Valle del Cauca in the southwest. Official sources confirmed the fatalities and noted the collapse disrupted a major transport corridor. Defense Minister Iván Velásquez expressed condolences, saying, “I regret the loss of two police officers as a result of the collapse of the El Alambrado bridge connecting Quindío to Valle del Cauca. Solidarity with their families and friends.”
Quindío’s governor, Roberto Jaramillo, conveyed to reporters his sorrow over the loss of two people identified as police officers. Local media reported that more than a dozen people were injured, though casualty figures were subject to ongoing verification by authorities.
The incident occurred as the bridge over the La Vieja river failed, affecting the route between Calarcá in Quindío and La Paila in Valle del Cauca. Authorities have not determined the exact cause of the structural failure, and officials cautioned that the collapse should not be interpreted as an act of terrorism or as the result of deliberate interference by armed groups.
Local reports indicated that the two police officers who died were in a trailer delivering supplies to the Simón Bolívar Police School in Tuluá, Valle del Cauca. Video footage circulating on social platforms showed the items, which appeared to include police vests, scattered along the scene and on nearby roadways, underscoring the sudden disruption caused by the collapse.
Emergency response teams, including police units, the National Disaster Risk Management Unit (UNGRD), and the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI), mobilized to the area to conduct search and rescue operations, assess the damage, and assist those affected. Transport officials announced that the La Vieja vehicle bridge on the Calarcá-La Paila corridor had failed, prompting a coordinated response to secure the area and initiate repairs where possible.
Hospitals within the region were placed on alert to treat potential injuries and to manage a surge of patients if necessary. Aid agencies and local authorities urged residents to stay clear of the affected zone until it was deemed safe for operations and ongoing assessment teams to complete their work. The incident prompted questions about bridge maintenance standards and inspection protocols along critical transport routes in the region, with officials promising a thorough review of infrastructure safety in the area. In the meantime, traffic along the Quindío–Valle del Cauca corridor faced delays and diversions as engineers and responders worked to understand the full extent of the damage and to plan any long-term remediation or reconstruction. The incident is being treated as a live incident, with authorities providing ongoing updates as information becomes available. All parties emphasized the importance of safety and accurate reporting while urging patience from the public as investigations proceed and recovery operations continue.