OLD STONE BRIDGE IN MOSTAR CRUMBLES INTO NERETVA

MOSTAR, Nov 9 (Hina) - The world-famous Old Bridge in Mostar crumbled into the Neretva river this morning at about 09:00. Apart from the damages inflicted in the Serbian aggression on Mostar in June 1992, the bridge was damaged in yesterday's and this morning's heavy artillery battles between the Muslim forces and HVO. The Old Stone Bridge was built by the builder Hajrudin in 1566 and was the last bridge to remain over the Neretva river in Mostar. Six modern bridges in Mostar had been destroyed by Serbs while they were pulling out. The only way to cross the Neretva is across a makeshift bridge. (End) m-vk 091549 MET nov 93