NEPALGUNJ, Dec 26 - At least 15 persons died and scores of others went missing when a suspension bridge over the Bheri River at Shobhaghat near Mehalkuna bazaar, Surkhet district collapsed on Tuesday afternoon. Of the dead, four were minors.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Armed Police Force confirmed the deaths of 15 including three women and two children.
The Home Ministry, meanwhile, said 32 people including 20 women and 12 men are receiving treatment at Surkhet Regional Hospital.
Among the dead, eight-year-old girl Yamuna Shirish of Sera in Gumi VDC breathed her last while under treatment at Surkhet Regional Hospital, according to Bheri Zonal Police Office at Nepalgunj.
Around 200 of those who fell into the river reportedly managed to swim to safety while a considerable number of others were rescued. Personnel of the Armed Police Force (APF), the
Nepal Army (NA) and Nepal Police and locals have been searching for the
missing.
Over 300 people were estimated to have been on the bridge when the mishap occurred. They were crossing the river to participate in a yearly fair on the other side of the river. The site is located 40 kilometers northwest of Surkhet district headquarters. Many of the injured were taken to hospital by bicycle, motorcycle and other available means.
The heavily-crowded bridge collapsed after a support pillar at one end collapsed under the weight.
Deputy Inspector General at APF regional headquarters Krishna Bahadur Bista, who inspected the incident site by helicopter, informed that many people were seen floating and being swept away by the river. He also said most of those being swept away were women.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Armed Police Force confirmed the deaths of 15 including three women and two children.
The Home Ministry, meanwhile, said 32 people including 20 women and 12 men are receiving treatment at Surkhet Regional Hospital.
Among the dead, eight-year-old girl Yamuna Shirish of Sera in Gumi VDC breathed her last while under treatment at Surkhet Regional Hospital, according to Bheri Zonal Police Office at Nepalgunj.
Around 200 of those who fell into the river reportedly managed to swim to safety while a considerable number of others were rescued. Personnel of the Armed Police Force (APF), the
Nepal Army (NA) and Nepal Police and locals have been searching for the
missing.
Over 300 people were estimated to have been on the bridge when the mishap occurred. They were crossing the river to participate in a yearly fair on the other side of the river. The site is located 40 kilometers northwest of Surkhet district headquarters. Many of the injured were taken to hospital by bicycle, motorcycle and other available means.
The heavily-crowded bridge collapsed after a support pillar at one end collapsed under the weight.
Deputy Inspector General at APF regional headquarters Krishna Bahadur Bista, who inspected the incident site by helicopter, informed that many people were seen floating and being swept away by the river. He also said most of those being swept away were women.
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