Bridge collapse kills at least 25 in India

Media reports said that at least 25 persons were killed and over 60 were injured when the bridge over Little Rangeet collapsed, about 30 km from Darjeeling.Since the bridge had weakened contours, it could not bear the enormous crowd weight and hence, it collapsed.Every year, during Dussehra and Diwali (Hindu festivals), we organise cultural programmes. So today, we had it at Bijanbari and it was overcrowded. The bridge is the connecting route between Darjeeling and Bijanbari. We think the recent earthquake had also an impact on the bridge causing cracks in it. Vehicles are plying on the road, but we think this could be mainly because of the earthquake, said Binay Pamang, Assistant General Secretary, Gorkha Janmukti MorchaThe bridge had already formed cracks after the earthquake which struck the region on September 18.Police sources said the darkness is hampering rescue operations and efforts are on to set up floodlight arrangements.As of now, 17 have been declared dead at the Darjeeling Hospital. We have also received information from the spot that another 8 bodies have been found. So, its 25 now. Darjeeling hospital has about 80 to 90 injured people, Pamang added.Reports suggested that a rescue team has been sent along with a medical team to handle the situation.