A container ship has smashed into a rail bridge during a heavy storm in Fremantle, Australia, disrupting train services between North Fremantle and Fremantle stations, reported ABC News.
Engineers are currently surveying the structure and assessing the damage.
Curtin University professor Peter Newman said it was “totally inappropriate” to have a port right next to a major bridge.
Newman said: “It was an accident waiting to happen and we're very lucky that the boats didn't go completely through and demolish both bridges because this road bridge is well overdue to be replaced.”
He added: “Now we have this incredibly stupid accident happening it just confirms we've got to advance the proposal to shift the port.”
He said the incident highlighted other problems facing that part of the river, including river and storm surges, adding that a road and rail bridge with a storm surge barrage was needed to prevent washouts.
The Public Transport Authority said the Fremantle rail bridge could be closed for up to a week. The development comes amid growing calls for the port to be moved outside of the city.
