VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA — What began as a scenic coastal walk turned into a scene of absolute terror when a pedestrian bridge collapsed without warning, plunging more than 20 people—including several children—into the freezing waters of the sea.

The catastrophic structural failure, which occurred in a popular recreational area just outside the Pacific port city of Vladivostok, has triggered a massive emergency rescue operation and launched an immediate criminal investigation into local safety standards.

According to eyewitness accounts and local emergency services, a large group of visitors, including families and young children, had gathered on the wooden-and-metal footbridge to enjoy the coastal views. Witnesses reported hearing a loud, metallic cracking sound before the center span of the bridge suddenly gave way, dropping the unsuspecting crowd into the sea below.

"People were screaming as they fell," said Dmitry, a local resident who witnessed the collapse from the shoreline. "One minute they were taking photos, and the next, they were struggling in the water. Parents were frantically trying to pull their children out of the sea and onto the rocky shore."

Rescue teams, including divers and marine patrol units from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, were dispatched immediately to the scene. Thanks to the quick actions of nearby bystanders and the rapid arrival of first responders, all 20 victims were successfully pulled from the water.

Medical officials confirmed that multiple people sustained injuries in the fall, with children being among those hardest hit. At least four children were rushed to regional hospitals in Vladivostok, where medical staff treated them for injuries ranging from moderate concussions and severe bruising to bone fractures and symptoms of acute hypothermia.

Meanwhile, several adults were treated directly at the scene for shock and minor lacerations, though three others required hospitalization for more severe orthopedic injuries sustained from hitting the bridge structure during the plunge.

Hospital administrators confirmed that while some of the injured children remain under close observation, none of the injuries are currently believed to be life-threatening.

The incident has sparked widespread anger among residents of the Primorsky Krai region, raising urgent questions about the maintenance and safety of local tourist infrastructure.

The regional Prosecutor's Office has officially opened a criminal case to investigate potential negligence and "the provision of services that do not meet safety requirements." Preliminary assessments suggest that the bridge, which had reportedly fallen into disrepair, collapsed under the collective weight of the crowd.

"A thorough technical evaluation of the bridge’s structural integrity will be conducted," a spokesperson for the investigative committee announced. "Those responsible for the maintenance and safe operation of this crossing will be held fully accountable."

As recovery efforts wrap up at the site, local authorities have ordered an immediate safety audit of all similar pedestrian bridges and coastal viewing platforms in the Vladivostok area to prevent another near-fatal disaster.