2 killed, 7 injured in Jajarkot bridge collapse

By Raju Lamichhane,Rukum (West), Apr. 21: Two workers were killed and seven others were injured when an under construction Bailey bridge connecting Chhotebagar, Aathbiskot Municipality–4, Rukum (West) with Tallubagar, Nalgaad Municipality–12, Jajarkot district collapsed on Thursday.

Both the deceased have been identified as Indian nationals. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Namraj Bhattarai of the District Police Office of Rukum (West), 40-year-old Prashant Rajkumar and 30-year-old Dharmendra Harijan Chamar, both of Madhwapur, Bahraich, died in the bridge collapse. Six of the seven injured are also Indians. They are 50-year-old Maiku Gautam, 30-year-old Gorakh Nath, 25-year-old Sanjay Gautam, 19-year-old Sonu Chumar, 49-year-old Gopal Harijan and 60-year-old Rajkumar Harijan Chamar. All of them are residents of Madhwapur. 

Sanjay, Gopal and Rajkumar are said to be in serious condition and have been airlifted to Kohalpur, Banke, for treatment. The other three are receiving treatment at the Provincial Hospital in Surkhet.

One of the injured is a Nepali citizen. As per the police, he is 26-year-old Niraj Kumar Chaudhary of Nawalparasi.The bridge was being constructed by Himshikhar Khadka JV at a cost of Rs. 38.4 million.