Twenty-three missing as bridge collapses

A bridge under construction over an icy Himalayan river in Indian-controlled Kashmir collapsed today, leaving at least 23 workers missing and feared dead, police said.

They were searching the banks of the river, but no bodies or survivors have been found, police said.

The incident took place outside the town of Uri, 62 miles west of Srinagar, the main city in the region.

The bridge is near the de facto border that separates India and Pakistan.

Both claim the Himalayan region.

Police said it was not immediately clear what caused the bridge to collapse.

Construction accidents are common in India, where little regard is paid to safety and shoddy materials are often used.