Youth brought down from atop Howrah Bridge after three hours

A youth climbed on top of the city's iconic Howrah Bridge on Friday morning disrupting traffic and causing panic among pedestrians, a fire department official said. He was finally coaxed down from his high perch after a three hour standoff.

"At around 10 a.m., the youth was seen climbing up the metal structure of the Howrah Bridge. It is possible that he had gone up there to commit suicide," said an official from Kolkata's Central Avenue fire station.

Police and the disaster management team of the fire brigade were immediately rushed to the spot, and the traffic on the bridge and the adjoining Stand Road moved slowly as the rescue operation was on.

While three fire tenders were sent to the spot and fire officials tried to bring the youth down using ladders, police was however able to convince him and bring him down from the bridge after nearly three hours.

"The identity of the youth is still unknown. He seems to be a vagabond roaming around the streets," said an officer from the north port police station.

--IANS

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