Darjeeling, Oct 23 : The death toll in the footbridge collapse incident in Bijonbari near Darjeeling rose to 34 on Sunday morning, as rescue work continued in search of survivors.
More than 60 persons are injured, of them eight are critical, doctors said.
The footbridge fell 70 feet deep into Ranjitkhola river in Darjeeling. A large number of people had gathered to attend a tourism fair, and at the same time the local Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha had organised a programme.
There were more than 100 people on the hanging wooden footbridge when it gave way. The footbridge was not enough strong to hold so many people at a time .
BSF and army jawans reached the spot and began rescue and relief work. The state government has announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of those killed, and has promised to bear treatment expenses for the injured.
The Army has also sent a team from its Moutain Brigade for rescue and treatment of survivors.
