21 dead, many trapped as flyover collapses in Kolkata

Kolkata, March 31 

An under-construction flyover collapsed on the traffic below near Girish Park — a teeming commercial area in north Kolkata — on Thursday, killing at least 21 people.

State administration officials said several people are feared trapped under the debris.

“As of now, 21 people are dead and 85 injured. The condition of two injured is very serious,” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was quoted as saying by ANI.

Eyewitnesses, however, reported that some 150 people could be trapped under the debris.

"Two people were brought dead and two others were in serious condition," Kolkata Medical College and Hospital superintendent Sikha Banerjee said. 

"More injured persons are still being brought in to the hospital," Banerjee said.

The incident brought Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had been to West Midnapore to address an election rally, scurrying back to the state’s capital.

"It is nothing but God's act," claimed Panduranga Rao of the Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction company engaged in the flyover's construction, drawing all round flak. The police have sealed the local office of the IVRCL and registered a case against the company under Sections 304,308 and 407 of the Indian Penal Code.

Army, NDRF send rescue teams

“Two teams have already reached the accident site and more teams are being sent,” OP Singh, Director General of NDRF, said. “Our priority is that those who are alive under the debris should be rescued. All kinds of cutters are being sued to make an entry." 

The Indian Army sent four columns to help with the rescue operations. There are three medical teams with two ambulances, surgeons and nursing assistants in each team, an army official said. 

Several vehicles — a bus among them — were trapped under the rubble.

Panic

Television footage from the scene showed a bloody hand reaching out from under what appeared to be a massive girder.

People were trying to hand bottles of water to survivors pinned underneath.

"The condition is pathetic. At this moment no one has any clue how many people are trapped," said Raichand Mohta, a police officer at the scene.

A Reuters witness said paramedics had worked to free people from a minibus taxi that was crushed in the collapse.

The flyover has been under construction since 2009 and has missed several deadlines for completion.

Panic spread in the area as the structure came down.

“Cement and concrete was brought in and kept on the bridge only yesterday and today, the structure collapsed,” an eyewitness said. 

Shocked & saddened by collapse of under construction flyover in Kolkata. Took stock of the situation & rescue operations.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2016

Another witness said they heard a huge crash when the bridge fell.

Will cooperate with investigators: Builder

Hyderabad-based IVRCL was building the 2-km (1.2-mile) Vivekananda Road flyover, according to its website. Its shares closed down 5 per cent after falling by up to 11.8 per cent on news of the disaster.

IVRCL's director of operations, AGK Murthy, said the company was not sure of the cause of the disaster.

“We did not use any inferior quality material and we will cooperate with the investigators,” Murthy told reporters in Hyderabad. "We are in a state of shock."

Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien tweeted soon after: "Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on.Many feared dead. Chief Sec/Home Sec at site. CM headed back to Kol immediately. This is the update I have".

The chief minister is currently campaigning for the state assembly elections that will be held in April. 

Home Minister Rajnath Singh directed Singh to send adequate personnel for rescue operations, official sources said.

“Our team is in contact with WB, NDRF teams have been disoatched: Kiren Rijiju, Minister of state for Home, said. 

"Deeply saddened to know that precious lives have been lost in the Kolkata accident.My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased," the home minister, who is currently touring West Bengal to campaign for BJP, in a tweet.

Spoke to DG NDRF who apprised me of the situation at the accident site in Kolkata. NDRF teams have been rushed to the spot for rescue ops

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) March 31, 2016

 

Barbs fly

The Bharatiya Janata Party quickly blamed the incident on the ruling Trinamool Congress government.   

“Mamata ji's govt is responsible for this,” Kailash Vijayvargiya, who is in charge of BJP’s affairs in the state, said soon after the accident.  

This is a clear case of corruption, there should be a CBI inquiry into this:,” BJP’s MA Naqvi said.

 

The state governement has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the dead and Rs 2 lakh for the injured. 

West Bengal will vote for its state assembly on April 4 and 11. — Agencies

 

Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on.Many feared dead. Chief Sec/Home Sec at site. CM headed back to Kol immediately.This is the update I have

— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) March 31, 2016

WATCH: Desperate attempts being made to lift up fallen under-construction bridge to rescue trapped people in Kolkatahttps://t.co/qyt7XktjuX

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 31, 2016

WATCH: Rescue ops underway for those trapped under debris after under-construction bridge collapses in North Kolkatahttps://t.co/t96fZB3Qpr

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 31, 2016

#WATCH CCTV footage of the bridge collapsing near Ganesh Talkies in #Kolkatahttps://t.co/4M3JG324OX

— ANI (@ANI_news) March 31, 2016