Under-construction bullet train bridge accident kills man, 9-year-old daughter in Gujarat

As per the police, a case has been registered and an investigation launched to determine how the metal plate fell and whether safety norms were followed. (Representative image)

• Metal plate fell from bullet train bridge, killing man and daughter on Tapi River.
• Shaikh's mother rescued after being thrown into river during accident
• Police probe safety norms at construction site after fatal incident

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A fishing trip on the Tapi River turned fatal on Saturday after a heavy metal plate fell from an under-construction bullet train bridge near Kathore village in Gujarat, killing a 35-year-old man and his nine-year-old daughter, according to police.

The victims were identified as Mohsin Shaikh and his daughter Huma. They were travelling in a small boat along with Shaikh’s mother when a metal plate, being lifted by a crane at the bridge construction site, reportedly slipped and crashed onto the vessel as it passed through a narrow channel between a bridge pillar and the riverbank, as per a report by the Times of India.

Shaikh’s mother was thrown into the river but was rescued by workers at the site and local fishermen. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital, where Shaikh and his daughter were declared dead on arrival.

Local residents rushed to the spot following the accident, with many alleging that safety arrangements at the construction site were inadequate.

As per the police, a case has been registered and an investigation launched to determine how the metal plate fell and whether safety norms were followed.

In a statement, the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) said the incident occurred around 4.45 pm while work was underway on the Tapi River bridge. "A workman heard a distress call from a woman and rushed to the location. One of the workers immediately jumped into the river and rescued her," the statement said.

The NHSRCL added that it was later reported that two other persons from the same boat had fallen into the water. Local fishermen retrieved their bodies and brought them ashore. "The police have taken cognisance of the incident and are investigating the matter. NHSRCL and its contractor are fully cooperating with the authorities," the statement said.