A major accident, an under-construction bridge over the Auranga River in Valsad district crumbled, when a girder suddenly collapsed, bringing down a large section of the structure, severely injuring four.
The incident occurred on Friday morning during slab construction between two pillars. The scaffolding supporting the work gave way, trapping at least five labourers under the debris.
Rescue teams from the Valsad Fire Department and police rushed to the spot immediately. Four injured workers have been pulled out and rushed to the hospital for treatment. Their condition is reported to be serious but stable.
Search On For One Missing Worker
One labourer remains unaccounted for and is feared trapped under the rubble. Firefighters and police are carrying out an intensive search operation.
Local sarpanch Bholabhai Patel of Pardi-Sandhpore gram panchayat said the collapse occurred while iron reinforcement was being placed between the final two pillars. A pillar apparently shifted, causing the entire section to crumble.
Authorities have launched a probe to determine if construction followed quality standards and what exactly caused the structural failure. Work on the bridge has been halted pending investigation.