As many as two persons were killed while another sustained injuries after a portion of the bridge connecting Chhatra Bazaar and Malgodown in Cuttack city collapsed on Wednesday evening, said Cuttack DCP Prateek Singh.
Though the identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained, they are said to be the contractual worker engaged in the construction work at the bridge, Singh added.
"We will continue the rescue operations to ensure that no one is left under the debris," the DCP said adding that the exact reason behind the mishap can be ascertained only after a probe was carried out by the concerned agency.
Speaking about the mishap, Cuttack Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani said, "This is unfortunate that this kind of a mishap occurred during the renovation and expansion work of the Taladanda Canal road."
Asked about the alleged inadequate safety measures taken while undertaking renovation works, Chayani said, "All the measures were at place. Our primary aim is the well-being of the injured. I will be able to say more only after completion of a probe."
Meanwhile, sources said that the mishap occurred when a portion of a sidewall of the bridge, which was under repairs, gave way.
A team of ODRAF is carrying out the rescue operations along with the police and fire brigade.
The injury figure is likely to go up as the incident occurred during evening rush hours with many still feared to be trapped under the debries.