Six labourers were on Thursday killed and same number injured, while many more were feared trapped, when an under-construction bridge on Chambal river collapsed at Nayagaon Kota district, a senior official said.
The injured were admitted to two private hospitals, where condition of three labourers was said to be critical, Kota collector T Ravikant told PTI.
Army was called up to assist civil administration in the rescue operation to locate over 50 labourers, who were feared trapped either inside the debris or swept in the current of the river, the Collector said.
Divers, cranes and welders were pressed into action as a massive rescue operation, he said adding that due to night and cold weather, it was literally difficult to search trapped labourers and conduct smooth rescue operation, he said.
Meanwhile, a team of senior army officials has arrived at the spot to remove debris and metallic bridge, which collapsed at a shore end of the river, he said.
The accident occurred around 1715 hours before sunset, when about 100 labourers were working there, the collector said quoting the some eye witnesses.
The reason behind the collapse of the 50-metre bridge being constructed by a foreign company (Hyundai) as a bypass on Kota-Rawatbhata Road is being ascertained, he said. PTI
