TALAWAR GHATTA, HAMPI/(KOPPAL/BELLARY): Seven people were feared killed when the hanging bridge under construction at Talawar Ghatta near Hampi collapsed on Thursday.
Unofficial reports say that up to 25 people were feared killed.
Thirty workers with minor injuries have been admitted in Koppal, Hospet and Hampi hospitals and are declared out of danger.
One person who is seriously injured, was shifted to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubli for treatment.
Workers were working on the steel slab of bridge, which is 12 km from the World Heritage Site. Work on the bridge had resumed just two months ago after a long gap.
Official sources said the seven people were missing but unofficial sources say they have been presumed dead. The victims have been identified as Bharat from Kerala, Patil from Hyderabad, Rasaool and Bheemappa from Anegundi and Huligeshi, Durgeshi and Gadilingappa from Venkatapura.
When workers heard the sound of steel rods breaking at around 3.30 pm, some jumped off the bridge into the river Tungabhadra to save themselves.
Police and fire personnel were pressed into service. Owing to darkness and difficult terrain, the task of clearing the debris will be taken up only on Friday morning.
Minister B. Sriramulu, who visited the spot, told reporters the search for missing persons was on and promised compensation.
Meanwhile, District Minister Govind Karjol told The New Indian Express over phone from Belgaum that it was too early to ascertain the reason for collapse of the bridge.