MANDALAY DIVISION- The famous U Pein Bridge in Amarapura Township, Mandalay collapsed at two joint sections at around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday (October 30). There were no fatalities and only minor injuries were reported by Mandalay Rescue Associations.
“The two (wooden) pillars of the bridge that were decayed finally broke and collapsed. When the bridge collapsed, the water underneath made a good barrier. Without the mud and water, people would have been seriously injured. The victims fall into the water. But if the water level is too high, people could drown, luckily, the water level is only at a person’s hip. No one was seriously injured, only minor injuries like cuts and scratches were received,” said a Mandalay rescue worker.
In the Burmese year 1849, during Bagan King’s reign, the Konebaung Dynasty, U Pein Bridge aka Taungthaman Bridge construction was led by Amarapura Governor Mr. Baisup and city clerk Maung Pein. The bridge was completed in 1851 and is currently 172 years old ancient wooden bridge.