A significant incident unfolded on February 24, 2025, when a heavy cargo convoy transporting an industrial boiler overturned on the Gabriel Fauré Bridge, located in Jarville-la-Malgrange, near Nancy. The sheer weight of the convoy, bearing approximately 165 tonnes, proved too much for the temporary platform installed to support its passage, leading to the dramatic event.
Video footage shared by local media, including Lunéville Actualités, captured the harrowing moment the trailer began to tip over, eventually coming to rest precariously against the bridge's safety barriers. Fortunately, the truck driver managed to escape the vehicle before it tipped completely, jumping from the cab and sustaining only minor injuries. This incident raised immediate concerns for public safety and the integrity of the bridge.
According to initial reports, the convoy, measuring 30 meters long, 6.5 meters wide, and 7.5 meters high, was en route to deliver the large boiler to Novacarb, located at Laneuveville-devant-Nancy. Local authorities disclosed the convoy had departed earlier from the port of Frouard and was expected to pass through various metropolitan roads on the way to its destination.
Just before the accident occurred around 1:30 p.m., the convoy was traversing the bridge where special support had been installed. Remarkably, this support structure had been rated to bear up to 300 tonnes. To explain the unexpected failure, Patrick Fasterez, a technician with the Métropole du Grand Nancy, remarked, "Normalement, les rampes qui ont été installées sont prévues pour supporter 300 tonnes, en sachant que le convoi pesait 165 tonnes, ça devait donc passer facilement. Je n'ai donc aucune idée de la raison pour laquelle, ça s'est affaissé." This raised questions about safety procedures and the structural integrity of temporary solutions used for transporting heavy loads.
Following the accident, local traffic was immediately halted to prevent any risk to pedestrians and vehicles. Vincent Mathéron, the Mayor of Jarville, explained, "Pour des raisons de sécurité, nous mettons en place des déviations de la circulation des voitures, mais aussi des piétons sur le chemin de halage qui se trouve en dessous du pont en attendant que les experts se prononcent sur l'ouvrage." This action aimed to provide safety to those who often walk along the canal path directly under the compromised bridge.
Recovery efforts commenced shortly after the incident, with large cranes and expert technicians expected on-site to assist with the lifting of the overturned truck and its cargo. Meanwhile, the local authorities anticipated the response operation could take several days, emphasizing the urgency to prevent the truck from tumbling off the bridge entirely and potentially falling within the canal below. "Il faut donc faire vite pour le relever et éviter qu'il ne tombe dans le canal," local sources quoted, highlighting the immediate pressure being felt by municipal leaders.
The incident has drawn heightened attention to the safety measures used during the transportation of oversized loads through the region, reflecting on how such accidents could potentially affect local infrastructure and traffic patterns. The community remains on alert as more information is awaited from structural experts who will assess the bridge's condition following the dramatic event.
Further investigations are expected to take place to understand the specifics of this event, including the condition of the equipment used during the transit and the regulatory measures surrounding heavy transport logistics. This accident not only emphasizes the need for rigorous oversight but also serves as a warning about the risks associated with moving massive industrial equipment through populated areas.