A 27-year-old man was killed and two others injured after a roadside slab suddenly collapsed near a bridge in Chimpu, Itanagar, police said on Saturday.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening near the New Dumping Zone, where the three men were sitting close to a car and a scooter when the roadside structure gave way without warning. The collapse caused the men to fall into the opening beneath the slab.
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Police said a preliminary assessment suggested that water seepage and soil erosion may have weakened the ground and contributed to the collapse. Further assessment is expected to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The deceased was identified as Tama Baja, 27, a resident of Don village in Kamle district who was staying in Chandranagar, Itanagar.
The two injured men were identified as Kapwang Arangham, 31, of Jullong, and Ajay Jerang, 34, of H-Sector.
Following the collapse, local residents immediately helped with the rescue efforts. One of the injured men was taken to hospital by locals, while the other was rescued from the site and subsequently shifted to RKM Hospital for treatment.
The third victim was trapped underneath the collapsed slab and debris. By the time rescuers reached him, he had already died, officials said.
The incident prompted a larger emergency response, with personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the 12th Battalion of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) called in to assist with the rescue operation.
The collapse has raised concerns over the condition and stability of roadside structures in areas vulnerable to water seepage and soil erosion, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. While police have pointed to seepage and erosion as possible factors in the preliminary assessment, the exact cause of the structural failure will need to be established through further investigation.
Authorities are expected to examine the affected section and surrounding area to assess whether additional portions of the roadside structure remain vulnerable.
The tragedy has also highlighted the dangers posed by weakened roadside surfaces and open spaces near bridges, where pedestrians and motorists may be unaware of underlying damage.
With one person losing his life and two others sustaining injuries, the incident has underscored the need for timely inspection and maintenance of roadside infrastructure, particularly in areas exposed to erosion and water-related damage.
