Neglect: Remaining portion of bridge falls in Bara River

Rescue 1122 spokesperson says operation cannot continue

PESHAWAR: A small portion of the bridge over Bara River which was still intact caved in on Saturday afternoon, forcing the rescue operation in its current form to a complete halt.

“Since the entire structure has collapsed, there is no way to carry on with the rescue operation until the flow of the water is diverted or stopped,” said Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Bilal Faizi. “That section was being used by the divers to look for the body of the missing person in the debris.”

He added the divers had been working despite the strong current of the water.

Waiting for cooperation

“We have asked the irrigation department to divert the flow of the water without which the operation cannot be continued,” Faizi said.

Earlier in the morning around six, Rescue 1122 divers started searching for the missing boy they believed was buried under the heavy rubble. However, locals said not one but two people are missing.

Around 11 am, a team of army engineers visited the area and cautioned the divers that the remaining portion of the bridge could collapse hence they should halt the work. Within 15 minutes of the warning the structure collapsed, bringing the efforts to a grinding halt.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2015.