Six Malda workers missing after bridge collapse, one dead

Eight contractual workers from Malda, who were working on an under-construction bridge in 

Bhutan, were swept away by the current in the river Amo Chu after the bridge had collapsed into it.

The rescue team however managed to rescue one worker, while the body of another was recovered from the river. Seven others are still missing. Disaster management team and specially trained personnel in Bhutan were carrying out an extensive search operation in the river to trace the other missing persons.

The incident has set a pall of gloom in the houses of the construction workers at Ratua and old Malda areas. The workers from these places in Malda went to Dorkha in Bhutan and joined the construction work of a bridge that is being built over Amo Chu River. The bridge would connect the two villages Dofuchen Gayoz and Doyen Chukh on the two sides of the river.

The accident took place on Monday afternoon and the workers fell into the river. Due to a strong current in the hilly river, the workers were swept away. The body of Sahidul Rahaman was recovered from the river. The others workers involved in the incident are Baharul Islam, Serajul Islam, Yasin Ali, Sintu Seikh, Lucky Seikh, Hussain Seikh, Rabuil Khan and Mithun Seikh.

According to sources, Rabiul was rescued and taken to a hospital in Bhutan. He was later shifted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

The victims had gone to Bhutan few months ago and joined the construction work. All the victims were aged between 18 and 24. They returned home during Eid, but after the festival was over they again went back to Bhutan to join duty. Sources said that the construction of the bridge was on the verge of completion. The Bhutan government is carrying out a probe as how the bridge had collapsed.

Senior political leaders in Malda called for the Centre to take up the issue so that the family members do not face any problems.