17 die as Indian bridge collapses

Rescuers were battling yesterday to free dozens of workers trapped under a collapsed bridge in western Indian state of Rajasthan, killing 17, officials said.
Fourteen critically injured labourers have been hospitalised.
"We can see bodies crushed below the giant bridge and some are seen floating on the water but it is tough to pull them out," chief fire officer at the accident site Sanjay Sharma told AFP.
At least 30 labourers are feared trapped or drowned in the accident that happened late Thursday when the bridge under construction over the Chambal river collapsed on the outskirts of Kota city in southern Rajasthan.
About half of the bridge was partially submerged in the crocodile infested river, making it impossible for naval divers to conduct search operations.
"We are using underwater body search cameras but are unable to fish the bodies, fearing crocodile attacks," he said.