9 killed, scores missing in Nepal bridge collapse

Kathmandu, Dec 25 (UNI) At least nine people were killed and scores missing after an overloaded suspension bridge over the Bheri River collapsed this afternoon.

The bridge, connecting Daha-chaur and Medhapura VDCs in Surkhet, collapsed at about 1330 hrs (local time) when around 400 people were crossing it to attend a big religious fair at Subha-ghat area.

The death toll could be high as many people are missing after the bridge collapse, police quoted eyewitness, as saying.

The dead bodies have been airlifted to Surkhet. Around 14 people who were injured in the incident are undergoing treatment there.

Some of the people managed to swim to safety, reports said, adding that security personnel and the local people have been mobilised in the search of the missing people.

UNI