A bailey bridge over Tuirini river between Sesawng town and Khawruhlian collapsed on Tuesday morning leaving one dead and several others injured.
The deceased has been identified as HC Lalfakzuala, a resident of Sesawng Venglai.
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The bridge near Sesawng village, about 40 km from the state capital Aizawl is being constructed by the state’s Public Works Department. The construction work of which began sometime early January this year. Though not yet completed, the main structural works having been already erected, residents use this bridge for crossing the river.
The bailey bridge over the Tuirini river was constructed in 1973 by Border Roads Task Force and the state government approved re-construction last year and construction work for the new bailey bridge commenced from January and is expected to be completed by this month.
HC Lalfakzuala and his nephew Laltleipuia were walking on the bridge when the incident occurred. Eyewitness said they were right in the middle when the bridge collapsed. HC Lalfakzuala died on the spot and Laltleipuia sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to the nearest hospital. His condition is stated to be stable.
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At the time of the collapse, about twenty persons working at the construction site were on the bridge, most of them ran to safety and about 11 persons sustained minor injuries.
The PWD work inspecting team chief engineer Lalsawmvela and superintending engineer Bowman and other PWD officials were present at the spot when the accident occurred.