Cameroon’s main opposition party, the Social Democratic Front (SDF), has issued a statement condemning what it describes as negligence and poor construction standards following the collapse of a makeshift pedestrian bridge in Nkwen, a neighborhood in Bamenda, North West Region.
In a press release signed by Hon. Fusi Namukong, the party’s National Secretary for Human and People’s Rights, the SDF expressed “profound concern and indignation” over the incident, which has reportedly claimed multiple lives and left several others injured.
The bridge, which connected Mile 2 to the Total Petrol Station area, had been widely used by residents, particularly during the rainy season when flooding often disrupts movement. According to the SDF, the structure turned into a “death trap” after torrential rains on Friday, March 26, 2026, led to its collapse while civilians were crossing the bridge.
Rescue efforts began the following day, with the Army Rescue Unit from Mulang, led by Senior Warrant Officer Taku Paul, working alongside local residents. By Saturday, March 27, three bodies, all women, had been recovered from a swampy area near Below Street Four in Mulang. A fourth body was retrieved on Sunday, March 29, bringing the confirmed death toll to four as of that date. In addition to the fatalities, at least four survivors were reported to be receiving medical treatment at PMI Integrated Health Centre and Mbingo Annex.
The SDF attributes the tragedy to what it calls “poor construction standards and lack of proper feasibility studies" and is calling for immediate action from all parties involved in the project. The party is demanding that the construction company take full responsibility and provide safe alternative routes to prevent further loss of life.
The statement also urges municipal authorities and state oversight bodies to enforce stricter compliance with engineering and safety standards in all public infrastructure projects. “Safety measures must become the top priority,” the release emphasized, adding that all materials used in construction must meet established quality benchmarks.
Furthermore, the SDF is calling for full compensation to be provided to the families of the victims and has reiterated its commitment to protecting human life and dignity. The incident has reignited concerns about infrastructure safety in Bamenda, particularly in underserved communities where makeshift solutions often replace durable public works.
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