Several feared dead as major bridge collapses in Kolkata, rescue ops underway
Kolkata, Sep 4 (IBNS): Several were feared dead as a portion of Majerhat bridge over a railway track and a canal collapsed in Kolkata's southwestern part on Tuesday evening, reports said.
According to reports, a nearly 200 foot block of the busy bridge collapsed at around 4:45 pm. beside the railway tracks. Unofficial sources put the death toll at five.
Following the incident, local police, fire and emergency services officials and Disaster Management Group (DMG) personnel rushed to the scene and rescue operation is currently underway at the spot.
Several cars, bikes and a bus were stuck under the debris.
A local police official said that several injured peopl have been rescued and sent to nearby hospitals.
Traffic between Taratala and Mominpur and rail service in Ballygunge-Budge Budge line have been disrupted due to the accident.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Darjeeling, has directed her machineries to strengthen rescue efforts. "Our immediate focus is on relief and rescue operation. We will find out the cause of the incident later. I am aware of the gravity of the situation,' said Banerjee.
A source in SSKM hospital said that at least 8 injured persons have been admitted at the state run hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted an image and prayed for the victims.
On 31 March 2016, a 150 m (490 ft) steel span of the under-construction Vivekananda flyover in the Girish Park neighbourhood of Kolkata, India, collapsed. 27 people died and more than 80 were injured in the incident.
WATCH: Portion of a rail over bridge collapses at #Majherhat in #Kolkata, several injured. #IBNS #IndiaBloomsVideo
— Deepayan Sinha (@sdeepayan) September 4, 2018
Watch on #Youtube: https://t.co/isCOpClzbx pic.twitter.com/zuiydNGUAc
(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)
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