Sweden donates bridges to Slovenia

Sweden donates bridges to Slovenia
full screen A flooded area in Ravne na Koroskem, about six miles northeast of the capital Ljubljana. The picture is from earlier in August. Photo: Gregor Ravnjak/AP/TT

The Swedish government has decided to donate three bridges to flood-affected Slovenia.

Slovenia was hit earlier in August by what was described as one of the worst natural disasters in the country’s history.

Violent downpours caused landslides and destroyed bridges and roads. At least four people died.

Following a request from the Swedish Transport Administration, the government has now chosen to donate three girder bridges to Slovenia, according to a government decision.

The country made a request for spare bridges with a span of 20–40 meters through the EU’s so-called civil protection mechanism.

The Swedish Transport Administration assesses that the three girder bridges are no longer needed in Sweden. The total value amounts to six million kroner.

“I have seen the reports of the widespread devastation that followed the torrential rains in Slovenia earlier in August. For the government, it is a matter of course that Sweden should stand up in a situation like this,” says Infrastructure and Housing Minister Andreas Carlson (KD) in a statement to TT.

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