3 killed, 16 injured in New Delhi

NEW DELHI: A concrete slab slipped and crushed the metal beams of a bridge under construction in New Delhi on Sunday, killing three people and injuring 16, police said.

The accident happened early Sunday as workers lifted heavy concrete slabs for the bridge, part of the city's new metro rail system, police spokesman Mohammed Iqlaq said.

Television footage and photographs showed one slab that had toppled off a supporting pillar, crushing metal beams beneath it.

Those killed and injured were laborers working on the bridge, Iqlaq said. He said the cause of the accident was not yet known.

Rescue crews were still working to see if any others are trapped under the rubble, Iqlaq said.

Officials of New Delhi Metro were not immediately available for comment.

The metro rail system, which has been running for more than six years, is the pride of the city, notorious for chaotic traffic jams.

In October last year, two people were killed and at least 11 injured in a similar accident.