Punjab Newsline | Kinnaur
A major accident occurred on Tuesday morning in the landslide-affected Urni area of Himachal Pradesh’s tribal district of Kinnaur when a 190-foot-long Bailey bridge over the Sutlej River suddenly collapsed and plunged into the river.
The incident took place at around 11 a.m. while an overloaded dumper carrying sand was crossing the bridge. According to local reports, a loud cracking sound was heard moments before the structure gave way, causing the vehicle to fall along with the bridge near the riverbank.
Fortunately, the dumper driver escaped with only minor injuries. Local residents quickly rushed to the spot and launched a rescue effort, safely pulling the driver out of the wreckage before any further harm could occur.
The Bailey bridge served as an important connectivity link in the Urni area, which is already vulnerable to frequent landslides and geological instability. The collapse has raised concerns about infrastructure safety in the region and is expected to disrupt transportation and movement in the area.
Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the collapse, including whether the overloaded vehicle contributed to the failure of the bridge. Further details are awaited.
