Dozens feared dead as India bridge collapses

More than 40 people are feared dead after a bridge collapsed while under construction in western India, police said today as hope faded for finding survivors.

Rescuers had recovered the bodies of 12 workers from the site in Rajasthan state by today and they feared that the 30 others still missing could be dead, said Rajeev Dasot, the area’s inspector general of police.

Hundreds of workers were clearing debris from the site of the bridge being built across the Chambal River near the town of Kota, 170 miles west of Jaipur, the state capital.

The workers could take another three days to clear all the debris, Dasot said.

Five people were taken to hospital after the accident on Thursday, but their injuries were not life-threatening, he said.

Police were investigating the cause of the accident and have arrested two project managers on charges of culpable homicide, he said.