3 die as bridge collapses at Chavara

Iron bridge gives way as residents converge on it after protest demanding water

The iron bridge that collapsed near KMML at Chavara on Monday.

Three people were killed and 45 others injured when an overcrowded iron bridge across the Travancore-Shoranur canal at Chavara came crashing down on Monday morning.

According to the police, the deceased are Shyamala Devi, 56; Angelina, 46; and Annamma, 44.

KMML employees

All three of them were workers at the mineral separation plant of the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd situated close to the bridge.

While one body of Shyamala was recovered soon after the accident, the other two were found under the iron beams of the collapsed bridge late in the evening. The injured persons were said to be out of danger.

Residents of the Ponmana-Chitoor area marched to the KMML gates on Monday morning in protest against the lack of water supply to their houses. Once the agitation was over, a large number of people was walking through the bridge on their way back home. Simultaneously, workers of the KMML came out of the plant and were on the bridge. According to the police, the iron bridge gave way under the weight. As many as 42 persons are said to have fallen into the canal.

Probe ordered

The government ordered an inquiry and asked Industries Secretary Paul Antony to file a report at the earliest.

Industries Minister A.C. Moideen said the company authorities had been directed to repair the bridge at the earliest.

He said the government would consider providing jobs to the relatives of the deceased and financial aid to those injured in the accident.