Liberia: AML Closes Duo Rail Bridge

ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has closed the Duo rail bridge following a train accident. 

The bridge, which connects Nimba and Bong counties in the Meinpea Mah Administrative District, was damaged during the transportation of equipment for the Phase II Project from Buchanan to Mount Tokadeh in Nimba County.

According to a statement from ArcelorMittal Liberia, a section of the Duo rail bridge sustained severe damage when equipment on a flatcar behind the locomotive shifted and caught on the bridge truss as the train was moving northward on November 4. The incident is currently under investigation by the company.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or casualties among the train crew or the public. However, as a precautionary measure, AML has decided to close the adjacent vehicle and pedestrian bridge for public safety reasons.

The Ministry of Public Works and the authorities of Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties have been informed about the incident. Engineers, safety officers, and security personnel from ArcelorMittal Liberia have been deployed to assess the necessary repairs at the site.

It is worth noting that this is not the first train accident involving AML. Less than a month ago, on October 2, a locomotive derailed, damaging 22 out of 63 loaded wagons. In addition, there have been other train accidents in the past year, some resulting in injuries. 

ArcelorMittal Liberia says it is taking these incidents seriously and is working diligently to address and prevent such accidents in the future.