 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Suspension Bridge Collapse in Nepal Kills 19
2008-05-11
19 people have died and 5 are still missing after a suspension bridge over the Bheri River in the Surkhet district of Nepal collapsed during a full moon festival. Estimates of between 300-600 people were crossing the bridge to participate in a local fair on the opposite bank at Shubhaghat, 10 km northeast of the Chhinchu bazaar. A further 10 people are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Surkhet and Kathmandu.
If built to national Trail Bridge Strategy/Local Infrastructural Development Policy standards the bridge should be able to support up to 1100 people. The 187m bridge, built a year ago by the District Development Committee under the Government funded Local Trail Bridge Programme, passed an inspection only 2 weeks before the tragedy occurred and the exact reason for the collapse still remains unclear. A government instigated judicial enquiry has been established to investigate the incident and will report its findings in two weeks.
For more information visit:
