A newly constructed bridge over the Bakra river in Pararia village of Bihar’s Araria district collapsed on Tuesday (June 18), according to a police officer. No casualty was reported, he said. The bridge, built by the state government, had not yet been opened to the public due to pending construction of approach roads.
The bridge connects Kursa Kanta and Sikty areas in Araria district. Amit Ranjan, Superintendent of Police (SP) in Araria, said, “A portion of a newly constructed bridge over Bakra river has collapsed. Officials have reached there to examine the matter.”
Sikti MLA Vijay Kumar told ANI, “The bridge has collapsed due to negligence by the construction company’s owner. We demand that the administration should conduct an investigation.”
Bihar bridge collapse video
The collapsed portion of the bridge washed away within seconds, prompting people to flee to safety. In another video, a few individuals were seen standing perilously close to the edge of the remaining bridge section, while others gathered underneath it.
The collapsed portion primarily spanned over the river, while the section constructed on the banks of the Bakra River remains undamaged.
The cause of the collapse is currently unknown. This incident follows a similar one in March, where an under-construction bridge over the Kosi river collapsed in Supaul district, resulting in one fatality and 10 injuries.