Pigeon poo blamed for Minnesota bridge collapse

Extensive bird droppings are now being blamed for the collapse of a 40-year-old bridge in Minnesota that resulted in the death of 13 people and injuries to over 100.

London, Aug.25 : Extensive bird droppings are now being blamed for the collapse of a 40-year-old bridge in Minnesota that resulted in the death of 13 people and injuries to over 100.

The Daily Mail quoted the experts as saying that pigeon droppings, which are high in ammonia and acidic content, were found deposited over the bridge's framework, and this contributed to the faster rusting of steel beams.

The bridge that crosses the Mississippi river in Minnesota, collapsed during rush hour earlier this month.

Inspectors began documenting the pigeon dropping build-up two decades ago.

In 1996, screens were installed over openings in the bridge's beams to keep pigeons from nesting there, but that did not prevent the building up of droppings elsewhere.

If the dung is not washed away, it dries out and turns into a concentrated salt.

However, the exact cause of the collapse has not yet been confirmed.

ANI