20 killed, 150 injured in flyover collapse in eastern India

At least 20 people have been killed and more than 150 others injured in a under-construction flyover collapse in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata Thursday.

“The flyover, which has been under construction in the middle of a crowded commercial area in central Kolkata for the past six years, came crashing down around 12.30 p.m. (local time). So far, 20 bodies have been pulled out of the debris,” a police official said, on condition of anonymity.

All those injured and rescued alive from the debris by the rescuers have been admitted to a local hospital where the condition of some are said to be serious, he said, adding the death toll may go higher in the evening.

Apart from the disaster management personnel, police, firefighters and local residents, some five columns of the Indian Army has been called out to pitch in for what is turning out to be a colossal rescue effort. Sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service.

Local TV channels showed footage of rescuers trying with their bare hands to pull out those still trapped under chunks of concrete and metal, and blood stained bodies being retrieved from under the debris as well as cars buried under the collapsed bridge being pulled out by cranes.

Chief Minister of the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, cancelled her campaign for the upcoming assembly polls and rushed to the scene to survey the damage. She announced compensation for the families of those killed and the injured.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in the United States, has also expressed his shock over the tragic incident.

“Shocked & saddened by collapse of under construction flyover inKolkata. Took stock of the situation & rescue operations,” Modi tweeted. “My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in Kolkata. May the injured recover at the earliest,” he added.

Flyover collapses are not uncommon in India mainly due to the use of sub-standard materials and lack of adherence to safety standards.

The post 20 killed, 150 injured in flyover collapse in eastern India appeared first on AfrikMouth.

from AfrikMouth http://ift.tt/1PHJ4V6
via JimiVaey