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Nepal Bridge Fails; 200 Missing

15 bodies recovered after suspension span collapses

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 25, 2007 1:04 PM CST
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(Newser) – Nepalese rescuers were searching into the night for about 200 people who plummeted into a swirling river when a suspension bridge collapsed. Another 15 bodies have been recovered, and 32 were taken to nearby hospitals. Up to 1,000 Hindu pilgrims were on the bridge when it failed in a remote part of Nepal. Most swam to safety after the 100-foot plunge.

"The bridge collapsed because there were hundreds of people on it," said a Nepalese police officer. Between 700 and 1,000 pilgrims were crossing the 360-foot-long bridge over the Bheri River, 280 miles southwest of Kathmandu, from one religious site to another on the last day of a three-day festival.

Relatives and rescuers try to recover bodies from the river as a foot bridge over the River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec, 25, 2007. At least 15 people were killed and dozens, perhaps 100 or more were feared missing...
Relatives and rescuers try to recover bodies from the river as a foot bridge over the River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec,...   (Associated Press)
Relatives and rescuers look on as a footbridge over River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec, 25, 2007. At least 15 people were killed and dozens, perhaps 100 or more were feared missing after the support cables of an old...
Relatives and rescuers look on as a footbridge over River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec, 25, 2007. At least 15 people were...   (Associated Press)
Relatives and rescuers try to recover bodies from the river as a foot bridge over River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec, 25, 2007. At least 15 people were killed and dozens, perhaps 100 or more were feared missing after...
Relatives and rescuers try to recover bodies from the river as a foot bridge over River Bheri collapses in Chunchu village, about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west of Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Dec, 25,...   (Associated Press)
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bridge collapse • Nepal • Himalayas • Hindu • Kathmandu • religious pilgrims • religious festival • Bheri River • suspension bridge

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