Watch: 60-foot Iron Bridge Collapses in Delhi; Rescuers Waist-Deep in Sewage Water

A 60-foot iron bridge over a ‘nala’ (drain) collapsed in north Delhi’s Roop Nagar area on Tuesday morning, leaving one woman dead, officials said.

According to an official of the Delhi Fire Service, a call regarding the collapse was received around 9.30 am, following which multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot.

Officials said the woman was on the bridge when it gave way and fell into the nala below. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force, Delhi Police and other emergency services were deployed soon after to search for her.

Rescue personnel later retrieved her body and she was declared dead at the spot, the DFS officer said.

Authorities have cordoned off the area to prevent further accidents and to facilitate ongoing operations.

Why was the Roop Nagar iron bridge declared unsafe yet still in public use?

A video of the rescue operation has surfaced on social media.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj shared a post on X along with visuals of the collapsed bridge and claimed that several people were feared dead.

Police said the bridge had been declared unsafe and was closed for public movement with barricades. Locals informed that the woman, who appeared to be a beggar, would often sit at one end of the bridge, PTI reported.

“The bridge is around 30 years old and had already been declared unsafe, with barricades and warning signages in place," Indian Express quoted a senior government official as saying. However, it was reportedly still being used by the public, the officials added.

The cause of the collapse is yet to be ascertained. Officials said a detailed inspection will be carried out after the rescue operation concludes.

(With inputs from ANI)