Suspension bridge collapses in India for second time, one person missing

The bridge, built over the Ganges River in Bhagalpur district of Bihar state in eastern India, was scheduled to be completed in 2019 but faced several delays and then collapsed for the first time on April 30 last year due to strong winds and rain.

The second time the suspension bridge was closed, a person was missing, picture 1 — A bridge under construction collapsed into the Ganges River in Bihar state, India. Photo: AFP

"There was a huge tremor, it felt like there was an explosion. Later we found out that the bridge had collapsed," Rakesh Kumar, a local resident, told ANI.

ANI said eight men were on the bridge when it collapsed on Sunday, with one guard reported missing. "We have conducted an investigation and I have reported the findings to the district administration chief," deputy district administrator Amit Raj said.

Bihar state chief minister Nitish Kumar, speaking to reporters on Monday, also promised “strict action” and added that the bridge “was not built properly, which is why it collapsed. It should have been made stronger.”

In October last year, a colonial-era suspension bridge in the Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging hundreds of people into the Machchhu River and killing 135. It had reopened just days earlier after months of repairs.

Huy Hoang (according to ANI, AFP, Reuters)

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