1997 Maccabiah Bridge CollapseOn July 14, 1997, the opening ceremony of the 15th Maccabiah Games com
1997 Maccabiah Bridge CollapseOn July 14, 1997, the opening ceremony of the 15th Maccabiah Games commenced by introducing the 5,000 athletes who arrived in Israel to compete in the games.The athletes marched with their national delegations and were set to cross a bridge over the Yarkon River and enter the Ramat Gan Stadium. When the 373-member Australian delegation crossed the bridge, tragedy struck when the bridge collapsed and sent dozens of athletes plunging into the river.One athlete was immediately killed from the fall, and 66 more were rushed to the hospital with light injuries. Although everyone appeared to be stable, the disease that festered in the polluted waters of the Yarkon River began to spread and infect those who were exposed. Three athletes died from infection over the next month.A public inquiry was convened and it was discovered that the bridge was built without a permit; five people were convicted of causing death by negligence. After the event, significant steps were taken in rehabilitating the waters of the Yarkon.My Nation Lives עמי-חי -- source link