One dead, seven injured in Himachal bridge collapse

Hamirpur (HP), Oct 2 (PTI) A labourer was killed while seven others were injured when a portion of a bridge under construction near Masiyana village here collapsed on Friday, authorities said.

The bridge is being built over the Mataur-Shimla four-lane road.

As it collapsed, construction materials plunged into an around 100-foot gorge and labourers were struck in debris, said an eyewitness, Desh Raj.

One person has died while seven sustained injuries, said Naib Tehsildar Prem Chand. The condition of the two injured is serious, he added.

The injured were rushed to the Medical College in Hamirpur in an ambulance.

According to the National Highway Authority of India, which issued a statement, the accident occurred during the launching of a 90-metre-long truss bridge.

When the launching nose was positioned over the pier cap, it suddenly collapsed due to a mechanical failure, causing the truss structure to fall, it said.