By IANS,
Srinagar : Three labourers died and 19 were missing after a bridge across the Jhelum river collapsed in a north Kashmir border town Sunday, the police said.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra ordered a magisterial probe into the accident.
The bridge on which the labourers were working collapsed into the Jhelum in Uri town, about 90 km from here.
At least 24 labourers, including Kashmiris and non-Kashmiris, according to witnesses, were giving finishing touches to the bridge when it caved in.
“We have so far rescued two injured persons and fished out three bodies from the river,” district police chief Anand Jain told IANS.
The Parampilla bridge connects 12 villages with Uri in the Baramulla district.
Teams of army and the police reached the spot immediately for a massive relief and rescue operation.
“The rescue operation will continue tomorrow (Monday). Due to the recent rains and snowfall in the valley, river Jhelum has swollen. Its volume and speed are impeding our rescue and relief efforts,” Jain said.
Governor Vohra said the inquiry into the tragedy will be completed in a week.
“The probe would be held by district magistrate of Baramulla and completed within a week,” an official press statement said.
Meanwhile, the NHPC Ltd that has power generating plant in Uri has announced relief of Rs.200,000 each to the next of kin of those killed in the tragedy and Rs.50,000 to the injured.