BRIDGE; HOLE IN BRIDGE; TRAFFIC HELD UP; OFFICIALS STAND BY.




Initials PK/VS/AS/BB



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE BLEW UP UNDER THE DAMYA BRIDGE, ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING LINKS BETWEEN THE EAST AND WEST BANKS OF THE RIVER JORDAN, ON TUESDAY (7 JANUARY) SENDING A SPAN OF THE BRIDGE PLUNGING INTO THE RIVER NEAR THE EAST BANK. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHETHER THE EXPLOSION WAS DELIBERATE OR ACCIDENTAL.

THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED DURING A CLASH BETWEEN ISRAELI AND JORDANIAN FORCES.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT DURING A MORTAR BATTLE, A CHARGE OF EXPLOSIVES THAT HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER THE BRIDGE AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE WAS DETONATED BY A STRAY MORTAR BOMB.

JORDANIAN TROOPS IMMEDIATELY BEGAN REPAIRS, AND BY WEDNESDAY HAD THE BRIDGE OPEN TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.

THE JORDANIANS CLAIMED THAT THE BRIDGE HAD BEEN HIT BY ISRAELI SHELLS, WHILE THE ISRAELIS BLAMED IT ON THE JORDANIANS.

NEITHER SIDE REPORTED ANY CASUALTIES DURING THE CLASH.