Authorities to probe bridge collapse in southern Pakistan

PAKISTAN: Authorities were expected to begin an investigati on into why a newly constructed overpass collapsed onto a road in southern Pakistan, crushing at least four people to death and injuring others, officials said.

At least two cars, a police van and a donkey cart were crushed under masonry Saturday when the 100-meter - long section of the bridge in Karachi fell about 15 meters onto the road below.

“Witnesses say they saw four or five vehicles on the bridge when it caved in,” said city police chief Azhar Faruqi.

Mohammed Iqbal, a survivor who escaped through the window of a small bus that fell from the bridge, told the private Geo news channel that some other passengers were still trapped in vehicles and under masonry and he had heard their cries for help.

Faruqi said two bodies were taken to a hospital and two more could be seen inside a crushed car.

Rescuers were using heavy machinery and bulldozers to remove debris and pull injured people from two or three vehicles, said city mayor Mustafa Kamal.

Hospital officials reported receiving at least five injured people.

The cause of the accident was not immediately clear.

“Investigations have been ordered to find the reasons of the collapse and people responsible for substandard construction would be taken to task,” Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in a statement Saturday.

Karachi, Sunday, AP