Footage of the moment the center of a bridge fell into raging waters below shows Cubans dramatically cheating near-certain death. Storm Alberto’s heavy rainfall brought about the structure’s collapse.

The bridge over the Zaza River, connecting the people of Zaza del Medio with the region’s capital Sancti Spíritus, collapsed on Monday. Video taken at the scene and shared on local media and online shows the moment of its disintegration, with two people running to safety as it literally crumbles beneath their feet.

According to footage filmed by local residents, the current caused a tree trunk to strike the bridge’s infrastructure, apparently prompting its collapse, ACN reports. Video taken just prior to the collapse shows groups of people gathered close by, watching the floodwaters pass.

Ernesto Luis Baracaldo, president of the People's Council of Zaza del Medio, told Radio Sancti Spiritus the town is isolated from other access roads, Cuba Debate reports. The 100-meter-long bridge was built in 1984.

Four people have been killed by storm flooding on the island, according to local authorities, and thousands evacuated.

Storm Alberto also damaged an oil refinery in central Cuba, causing crude oil to spill into Cienfuegos Bay. Two reporters were killed in the US after the storm made landfall on the Florida Panhandle Monday.

Like this story? Share it with a friend!