Metal thieves make off with rail bridge in Russia
- 5 years ago
MURMANSK, RUSSIA — Some crafty thieves in Russia have managed to steal an entire bridge because why the hell not?
The BBC reports that a criminal case has been launched after local prosecutors say unknown perps removed the main central span of a rail bridge in the Russian arctic region of Murmansk.
The stolen metal is 23 meters long and weighs 56 tonnes. It was likely taken to be sold for scrap metal, which is a common problem in Russia.
Residents noticed the bridge's disappearing act back in May. Photos on Russian social media site VK shows the bridge with its central section already gone.
But chunks can still be seen on the river, which suggests the structure was first taken down before being taken apart.
The Znak news website reports that the damage caused by the grand theft to the local company that owns it is 600,000 roubles, or roughly $9,000.
According to state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the bridge had been disused, and the tracks lifted long ago.
Back in its heyday, it was used to transport concentrated rare earth elements from a nearby plant, but became useless after the plant went bankrupt and closed shop in 2007.
The BBC reports that a criminal case has been launched after local prosecutors say unknown perps removed the main central span of a rail bridge in the Russian arctic region of Murmansk.
The stolen metal is 23 meters long and weighs 56 tonnes. It was likely taken to be sold for scrap metal, which is a common problem in Russia.
Residents noticed the bridge's disappearing act back in May. Photos on Russian social media site VK shows the bridge with its central section already gone.
But chunks can still be seen on the river, which suggests the structure was first taken down before being taken apart.
The Znak news website reports that the damage caused by the grand theft to the local company that owns it is 600,000 roubles, or roughly $9,000.
According to state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the bridge had been disused, and the tracks lifted long ago.
Back in its heyday, it was used to transport concentrated rare earth elements from a nearby plant, but became useless after the plant went bankrupt and closed shop in 2007.