In Arunachal Pradesh, rescuers have retrieved the bodies of three females from Kameng River in East Kameng district where a rope wire suspension bridge collapsed on Saturday evening. One 12-year old child also succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. The number is likely to increase as another 14 persons were still missing. Official sources said, 30 other persons have survived the incident of which some are in serious condition.

Arunachal Pradesh DGP Kanwaljit Deol said, police, local people, paramilitary forces and the army were carrying out massive search operations and army divers have been pressed into service at deep locations of the river. Some people were swept away by the strong current of the river while some fell over the rocks in the river.

More than a hundred persons comprising mainly of women and children went to the bridge to catch a species of locust, a local favourite, when the incident occurred. The 20 year old bridge could not bear their weight and collapsed. Sources said, only six persons are allowed to cross the bridge at a time.