By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : Christmas celebrations dimmed for newly secular Nepal as hundreds of pilgrims went missing in a river in the midwest after a stampede caused the suspension bridge to collapse Tuesday.
“Between 700 to 1,000 people are feared to have been on the bridge when it collapsed,” Bhaktiram Chaudhary, a policeman from the main police station in remote Surkhet district, told IANS.
“So far, six bodies have been retrieved from the river. Eighteen people have been rescued and taken to the regional hospital and health centres for treatment,” the policeman said.
According to the police, the mishap occurred around 1.30 p.m. when pilgrims were rushing to attend a fair held to mark the full moon.
The bridge on Bheri River, connecting Daha Chaur and Madhapura villages, collapsed as hundreds of people mounted it simultaneously.
At least 300 people are feared to have disappeared in the river.
The Nepal Army, police and Red Cross personnel along with locals began a rescue operation.
Media reports said at least 150 people had been rescued. However, no immediate official confirmation was available.
This is one of the worst accidents to strike Nepal barring earthquakes in the past.