The theft of vital structural components caused damage to the southbound section of the EDSA Magallanes Flyover, resulting in falling debris that prompted immediate safety interventions, public works officials said Thursday.

Engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways inspected the flyover after receiving reports of falling debris and discovered that several expansion-joint parts had been stolen from the elevated roadway.

In an advisory, the agency confirmed that the removal of the critical metal components compromised the bridge structure, causing portions of the concrete to fragment and drop onto the roadway below.