Three labourers killed in Kandhkot bridge collapse

SUKKUR: Three labourers were killed and two others injured after a large section of a dilapidated bridge over the Naseer Canal collapsed in Kandhkot-Kashmore district on Friday, police and administration officials said.

The incident occurred near Nasar Bijarani village within the limits of the Karampur police station, where the old brick-built bridge was being dismantled under a scheme to build a new structure at the same site.

Officials said the bridge had been in a deteriorated condition and was being taken down to make way for reconstruction. The crossing was used by residents living on both sides of the canal.

An unspecified number of labourers had been engaged for the demolition work. According to officials, some workers were busy underneath the bridge when the structure above them suddenly gave way, trapping them under the debris.

Police and administration officials said four to five labourers were buried under the rubble when the collapse took place.

Rescue operation

Residents of the nearby village rushed to the site after hearing the sound of the collapse and began rescue efforts. A police team also reached the area and joined the operation already under way by local people.

After being informed of the incident, the civil administration sent an excavator to assist in removing the debris and retrieving those trapped beneath it.

During the hours-long rescue effort, three bodies were recovered from the rubble, while three injured persons were shifted to a nearby government health facility for treatment.

Police and administration officials identified two of the deceased as Imam Bakhsh, son of Suhno Khan Nandwani, and Abubakar, son of Imdad Nandwani.

However, there was a discrepancy over the death toll. While police and administration officials confirmed that three labourers had died, local journalists put the number of dead at four.

Efforts to make sure that no other person remained trapped under the debris continued until late in the evening.

The collapse took place during demolition of the old bridge, which was being removed as part of a plan to reconstruct the crossing for local residents.