35 hurt as footbridge collapses in Meghalaya

An American couple and 35 other people sustained minor injuries when a footbridge collapsed in Meghalaya's remote East Garo Hills district, police said.

The American couple — Marisa Staten and her husband Verbor Staten — were missionaries and were crossing the bridge over Didram river yesterday, they said.

While Marisa sustained injuries on the back, her husband received minor injuries, police said.

Marisa and the other injured were admitted to a hospital in Goalpara district of Assam. However, Marisa was later shifted to Down Town Hospital.

The 25 persons who were admitted to hospital at Goalpara were discharged last evening while the rest will be released today, district administrator Vijay Mantri told PTI.

He said none of the injured were critical.