Gold diggers seriously damage ancient bridge

GRAMSH, April 30 – Three men trying to find gold under an ancient bridge in southeastern Albania seriously damaged one of the supporting legs, threatening to collapse the more than 1,000 year old bridge, a local newspaper reported Monday.
Villagers of Grabova in Gramsh district said they believe three immigrants from Greece had dug under the bridge in search of gold thought to be buried there according to ancient legends, reported Shqip newspaper.
As a result of their digging, the men pulled down one of the supports of the bridge that is believed to have been built in 997.
Villagers appealed to the population and government authorities to find the suspects and also help repair the bridge.
The villagers also said they were ready to invest local money to assist in the repairs. The bridge is the main link from Grabova to the nearest town of Gramsh, some 50 kilometers away.