By MANDEEP SINGH
BAHRAIN’S “suicide bridge” will be redesigned. Bridge designer Ismail Khonji Associates has been asked to submit proposals to suicide-proof the footbridge over the King Faisal Highway on the Manama seafront.
The move was revealed by Works and Housing Ministry Under-Secretary for Public Works Nayef Al Kalali
The pedestrian bridge, near the Intercontinental Regency Bahrain, on the King Faisal Highway, was the scene of two suicide leaps in three months.
In January, Indian salesman Hamza Maheen, aged 47, leaped to his death. He smashed through the windscreen of an oncoming car on the highway below, injuring the Bahraini couple inside.
By MANDEEP SINGH
BAHRAIN’S “suicide bridge” will be redesigned. Bridge designer Ismail Khonji Associates has been asked to submit proposals to suicide-proof the footbridge over the King Faisal Highway on the Manama seafront.
The move was revealed by Works and Housing Ministry Under-Secretary for Public Works Nayef Al Kalali
The pedestrian bridge, near the Intercontinental Regency Bahrain, on the King Faisal Highway, was the scene of two suicide leaps in three months.
In January, Indian salesman Hamza Maheen, aged 47, leaped to his death. He smashed through the windscreen of an oncoming car on the highway below, injuring the Bahraini couple inside.
On April 15, painter Ashokan Vamoora, 41, died instantly when he was run over by a car as he plunged from the bridge onto the highway.
“We have taken the two incidents seriously and are convinced we have to get the bridge redesigned,” said Mr Al Kalali.
“Instructions have been issued to the designers to submit their proposals before the end of this week.”
“We are looking into various suggestions, including the one to cover the bridge completely, or at least have a higher fence, curving inwards,” he said.
He said care would also be taken to ensure that there was no inconvenience to those using the bridge to cross the highway.
“We have to understand that the bridge is being used perhaps by hundreds of people a day,” said Mr Al Kalali.
He said Capital Governor Shaikh Humood bin Abdulla Al Khalifa was also closely following the developments.
Last week, Manama Municipal Council wrote to the ministry, demanding the “suicide bridge” be fenced, to stop people jumping into traffic.
Meanwhile, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has also demanded an inquiry into the causes of suicides amongst the expatriate community.
“Five migrant workers are known to have committed suicide in Bahrain since the beginning of this year and two have jumped from the bridge. This is appalling” said BCHR vice-president Nabeel Rajab.
“While moves to modify the bridge may prevent such incidents from taking place in that specific location, it is by no means a comprehensive measure to deal with the problem.
“The reasons, conditions and situations which lead to migrant workers in Bahrain taking their own lives should be investigated.
“Bahrain needs to examine the terrible conditions in which some of the migrant workers live here. Financial difficulties, family pressure, loneliness, alienation and miserable living conditions are often the problems that these people face.
“Bahrainis and embassy officials, need to take responsibility for protecting the rights of these workers, to ensure as much as possible that the expatriates who contribute so much to this country are living in dignity and good health.”