By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/then-and-now-euphrates-bridge-in-fallujah Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Then and Now: Iraq’s ‘Blackwater Bridge’ World Aug 20, 2010 11:20 AM EDT Margaret Warner records a part of an upcoming broadcast report in front of the bridge. All photos by Larisa Epatko FALLUJAH, Iraq | One of the searing images of the war in Iraq was that of the charred bodies of the Blackwater security contractors strung up on the bridge over the Euphrates River in Fallujah. The horrific incident took place in March 2004, at a time when Fallujah was a hotspot for insurgent activity. While the dangers have lessened significantly since then, we were still advised not to tarry during our excursion there on Thursday. Iraqi police now guard the entrance to the bridge: During our visit, two boys jumped off the bridge to take a break from the 115 degree heat: Across from the bridge are the concrete and rebar-riddled remains of a building destroyed during the war: On the other side of the street leading to the bridge, a few onlookers gathered during the taping: The NewsHour is traveling in Iraq for the next few weeks, covering the U.S. troop drawdown due at the end of the month and looking at what Iraq’s future holds. View all of the NewsHour’s reports from Iraq. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Margaret Warner records a part of an upcoming broadcast report in front of the bridge. All photos by Larisa Epatko FALLUJAH, Iraq | One of the searing images of the war in Iraq was that of the charred bodies of the Blackwater security contractors strung up on the bridge over the Euphrates River in Fallujah. The horrific incident took place in March 2004, at a time when Fallujah was a hotspot for insurgent activity. While the dangers have lessened significantly since then, we were still advised not to tarry during our excursion there on Thursday. Iraqi police now guard the entrance to the bridge: During our visit, two boys jumped off the bridge to take a break from the 115 degree heat: Across from the bridge are the concrete and rebar-riddled remains of a building destroyed during the war: On the other side of the street leading to the bridge, a few onlookers gathered during the taping: The NewsHour is traveling in Iraq for the next few weeks, covering the U.S. troop drawdown due at the end of the month and looking at what Iraq’s future holds. View all of the NewsHour’s reports from Iraq. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now