Bridge weakened by earthquake collapses in northeastern India, killing 32

Bridge weakened by earthquake collapses in northeastern India, killing 32

2011-10-24 04:35:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW DELHI (BNO NEWS) -- At least 34 people were killed and more than 130 others were injured when a wooden bridge collapsed in northeastern India on Saturday evening, local media reported on Sunday.

The old wooden footbridge in the Bijanbari area of Darjeeling district gave way on Saturday evening as more than 200 people had gathered on the bridge to listen to speeches being held during a political meeting. At least 32 people were killed while more than 130 others were injured, the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reported.

According to hospital sources, the death toll is likely to increase further as some of the victims were critically injured. Army personnel of the Mountain Brigade and the Army Medical Corps have joined fire brigade, police and disaster management personnel in the rescue operation.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who visited the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, said the expenses would be borne by the state government. He also promised the government will compensate the families of the deceased, the seriously injured and those who suffered minor injuries.

The bridge involved in Saturday's accident had been weakened after a strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck India's northern state of Sikkim near the border with Nepal on September. More than 110 people were killed.

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