Commonwealth Games Bridge Collapses Raises Serious Concerns

A pedestrian bridge under construction for next month's Commonwealth Games collapsed, officials said, adding to concerns raised about India's awareness for the international sporting event.

At least 24 people were wounded, three critically, said New Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat. The bridge near Jawarharlal Nehru Stadium came down as workers were laying a concrete slab, said Rakesh Mishra, engineer-in-chief for New Delhi's Public Works Department.

Designed as a pathway from a parking area to the stadium, the bridge was planned for completion this week. The games begin October 3. "We are probing into it," said Mishra about the cause of the collapse. "It could be defective execution or a fault in the design."

The games, hosted for the first time by the Commonwealth's most heavily populated nation, have already been troubled by delays in construction projects and allegations of corruption.

Also, Mike Hooper, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, complained of the situation inside the rooms where the athletes are expected to live.

And this week, security concerns heightened after a shooting assault Sunday on a bus near a New Delhi mosque injured two Taiwanese tourists. Police, however, downplayed the assault as "local mischief," insisting the city is secure for visitors.