Bridge Collapses in Himachal’s Kinnaur Truck Plunges into Sutlej, Driver Escapes Death in Dramatic Incident

In a terrifying incident from Kinnaur, a truck plunged into the Sutlej River after an iron bridge suddenly collapsed, leaving the driver miraculously alive.

The incident occurred on Tuesday near Urni Dhank, a notoriously fragile stretch located between Reckong Peo and Tapri along National Highway 5—a crucial route connecting remote Himalayan regions.

Bridge Gives Way Mid-Crossing

According to officials, the 190-foot-long iron bridge collapsed just as a 10-tyre dumper truck loaded with sand was about to reach the other end.

Within seconds, the structure crumbled, sending the heavy vehicle crashing into the river below—a moment that was captured on camera and has since gone viral.

Preliminary reports suggest that the truck may have been overloaded, which could have contributed to the collapse, though a detailed investigation is expected.

Driver’s Miraculous Escape

In what can only be described as extraordinary luck, the driver survived the fall.

Rescue teams rushed to the spot shortly after the accident. The driver was pulled out and taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Police teams, led by local officials, reached the scene promptly after receiving alerts and began coordinating rescue and traffic management efforts.

Traffic Disrupted on Key Route

The collapse has severely impacted traffic movement on this critical stretch that connects Kinnaur with Lahaul and Spiti. Authorities had to divert vehicles through alternate routes, leading to inconvenience for commuters and transporters.

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The district administration has instructed highway authorities to restore connectivity at the earliest, considering the strategic importance of the route.

A Known Danger Zone

Urni Dhank has long been identified as one of the most landslide-prone areas in Himachal Pradesh. Falling rocks, unstable terrain, and frequent blockages have made it a risky passage for years.

To address these challenges, a Bailey bridge was constructed in 2016 as an alternative route. However, this latest collapse has once again raised serious concerns over infrastructure safety in high-risk mountain regions.

Rising Questions on Safety

How safe are the critical lifelines connecting remote Himalayan districts?

This incident has reignited the debate over maintenance of ageing infrastructure, overloading of vehicles, and preparedness in disaster-prone zones.