Bridge collapses near Commonwealth Games stadium

New Delhi accident injures at least 27

Last Updated: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 | 10:44 PM ET

CBC News

Workers gather at the collapsed bridge near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. (Anupam Nath/Associated Press)

A footbridge under construction near the Commonwealth Games main stadium in New Delhi collapsed Tuesday, injuring at least 27 people — four of them critically, police said.

The suspension bridge was being built over a highway to connect a parking lot with the main Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of the Games, scheduled Oct. 3-14.

CBC's Adrienne Arsenault spoke to a number of people who witnessed the collapse.

"They say around 3 p.m. local time, the bridge seemed to dip or spasm a bit. They ran away, and then the whole thing collapsed in the middle."

Severe delays in the completion of the athletes village have thrown the sporting event into jeopardy.

Advance parties from Canada, Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand have complained about construction debris littering residential quarters for athletes.

"Within two days, the athletes village is supposed to be opened to some of the athletes, and yet it is being described today as unlivable," Arsensault said. "The Canadian advance team is supposed to be staying at the village and now is, in fact, staying at a hotel."

Labourers have yet to leave the village, preventing a full security sweep, which was supposed to be conducted a month ago.

Canadian officials 'deeply concerned'

The New Zealand delegation said Tuesday the village won't be ready for its official opening this week.

New Zealand team manager Dave Currie told radio network NewstalkZB that New Delhi organizers "are in severe difficulties," identifying problems with cleanliness, plumbing, electrical wiring, internet access and mobile phone coverage.

The director of sport for Commonwealth Games Canada released a statement Tuesday, saying his organization is "deeply concerned" that the residential zone has not lived up to what was promised.

Scott Stevenson, who arrived in New Delhi last week, said the Canadian team's travel schedules haven't changed, but that Canada has strongly encouraged the Delhi organizing committee to get its residence buildings up to standard as quickly as possible.

"These problems can be fixed, but it's going to take a massive, co-ordinated effort to get it done. We're committed to doing everything we can to make it so," he said.