Five killed in Shershah bridge collapse

KARACHI: At least five persons were killed and several people were injured Saturday when a portion of newly inaugurated Shershah Northern By Pass bridge connecting to Hub River caved in at Paracha Chowk of Karachi. The authorities fear that the death toll could rise.

According to the eyewitnesses 20-25 persons are still trapped under the debris and care calling through their cell phones for help. The incident occurred Saturday noon when a portion of the bridge was collapsed. Several vehicles over the bridge went down with the collapsed portion of the bridge structure and trapped under the rubble.

Hospital sources have confirmed that two dead bodies have been brought in.

CCPO Karachi Azhar Farooq said that the death toll is feared to rise.

A coach with several passengers, 2 trucks and many other private vehicles are said to be trapped under the rubble of the bridge.

Some Ambulances and the relief teams reached to the spot after the incident but much of the rescue work is being hampered as the heavy machineries and ambulances are facing difficulties in reaching the spot due to heavy traffic jam on the roads of Karachi.

Police have surrounded the area after collapse of the bridge. The people crowded at the place of the incident being advised to go back from the spot as the rest of the bridge has also developed serious cracks and it is feared that it would also collapse.

Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal has said that NHA had constructed the bridge and a probe would be held to ascertain the real cause of the bridge collapse.

Communication Minister Shamim Siddique talking to Online said that he is present at the site of the accident and is trying to probe that how this bridge collapsed. He said that after the rescue operation a thorough probe would be conducted into the incident and action would be taken against the responsible.

Emergency has been declared at hospitals in the city.

It is worth mentioning that president Musharraf had inaugurated the bridge last month. According to sources NHA and FWO had constructed the bridge for heavy traffic.