Deaths as Nepal bridge collapses
Bridge collapse in Nepal kills 15 and leaves hundreds missing
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Tuesday, 25, Dec 2007 05:47
At least 15 people have been killed and hundreds left missing after a suspension bridge collapsed in Nepal.
The bridge at Chunchu village, more than 300 miles west of the capital Kathmandu, gave way as people travelled to a religious fair.
As many as 300 people are thought to have been on the bridge when it fell into the Bheri river, which is at a low winter season flow.
Police and soldiers sent to the area say that scores of people were seen swimming to safety.
But there are fears the death-toll could rise with many women and children on the bridge at the time of its collapse.
Seven women and four children are understood to be among the dead.
Hundreds of poorly-maintained bridges are situated across landlocked Nepal.
Both the remoteness of the area and freezing winter conditions are thought to be hampering rescue efforts.