Five Filipino fishermen hurt after bridge collapsed in Taiwan

REscue personnel look on at a bridge after it collapsed in the Nanfangao fish harbour in Suao township on October 1, 2019. – The bridge collapsed in northeastern Taiwan on October 1 injuring at least 14 people as it smashed down onto fishing vessels moored underneath and sent a petrol tanker plummeting into the water. (Photo by Sam YEH / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Five Filipino fishermen were reportedly hurt after an arch bridge over a bay in eastern Taiwan collapsed Tuesday, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said.

DOLE identified the victims as Julio S. Gimawa, Jason N. Villaruel, Allan H. Alcansano, John Vicente Royo, and June B. Flores.

Fishing boats were under the bridge when the incident happened, the labor department said.

DOLE said Gimawa, Villaruel, and Alcansano were rushed to Poai Hospital after sustaining minor injuries while Royo and Flores were brought to Rong Min Hospital.

Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) officials have visited the injured overseas Filipino workers to extend needed assistance, DOLE said.

The bridge collapsed about 9:30 a.m. in the fishing village of Nanfangao in Yilan county in Taiwan. /je

READ: Towering arch bridge falls in Taiwan bay, 5 feared missing