Skip to main content

17 Dead, Several Others Injured As Popular Kolkata Flyover Collapse In India [Photos]


A flyover under construction in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) has collapsed, on Thursday, crushing vehicles below it, killing at least 17 people and leaving dozens more injured and trapped in the rubble, authorities said.

.
Television footage from the scene showed residents using their bare hands to help the rescue effort as many people are feared trapped under the concrete and steel bridge, which fell on a busy road.

Speaking to CNN, Maj. Gen. Anurag Gupta, from India’s National Disaster Management Authority, on Thursday evening said that authorities didn’t then know how many people were driving across the bridge when it fell or how many more remained trapped.

“We cannot predict how many people are still under wreckage,” Gupta said. “We can’t tell, since it’s a bridge and not a building.”

A spokesperson for the left-wing party that governs the state of West Bengal of which Kolkata is the capital, said in a tweet: “Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on. Many feared dead.”

Huge Chunk Fell Of Vivekananda Flyover, Many Killed: LIVE Updates – https://t.co/gJ5cGulBJUpic.twitter.com/u6QEQ6tyuO

— kolkata24x7 (@kolkata24x7) March 31, 2016

India’s army has deployed four columns of rescue personnel, according to a tweet from a representative of the Indian Ministry of Defense. Three medical teams with two ambulances, doctors and nursing assistants are also there.

More than 70 injured were admitted to two hospitals in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state, hospital officials said.

“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.

The Indian home minister, Rajnath Singh, tweeted his concern and announced that rescue teams would be rushed to the scene.

Yet there was little sign of a coordinated rescue operation, with access for heavy lifting equipment restricted by the buildings on either side of the flyover and heavy traffic in the area.

Locals have been digging through the huge slabs of rubble with pick axes while police hold back relatives desperate for news of the missing.

As the operation continues, angry relatives arrive looking for their loved ones. At the same time, more bodies are being taken away.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hahaha! Read Hilarious Open Letter To Coca-Cola By An Angry Consumer

Hahaha, Mehn! Some people dey para oh!!! The ongoing Coca-Cola “Share A Coke” campaign has really gotten loads of consumers worked up as they are yet to find their names on a Coca-Cola bottle. Consumers including @dj_staffy who wrote an open letter to them on their Instagram page. It’s hilarious! The dude is really pained. LOL Read below: AN OPEN LETTER TO COCA COLA ! The MD/CEO Coca Cola Nigeria and Worldwide Sir/Madam Let me start by saying a ‘Big kudos’ to your company for a fantastic idea, “Share A Coke”. It’s indeed an awesome innovation! But then let me quickly bring to your notice that following the wonderful strategy of share a coke, collect a coke or buy a coke, whatever name you call it. Where someone’s name is written on the (plastic) Coke bottle or Can. I have noticed with total dismay that ‘Nobody Has Shared or Bought any form or shape of Coke for me’! And this is because, according to my little resear...

Nollywood Actor, Yemi Solade Compares Cynthia Morgan to a Cow

Yoruba Actor,  Yemi Solade  yesterday took to his instagram shade to throw a heavy subtle shade at Dancehall artiste –  Cynthia Morgan . He posted a side by side picture of Cynthia Morgan with a Cow and captioned it  “COWsquare” . He was referring to the fact that Cynthia’s had a nose ring on in the picture…same as the cow. His reasons and intentions for pulling this is unknown, but Yemi claims he never knew Cynthia Morgan was an Entertainer. He has since deleted the post from instagram and has refused to apologize…instead he is battling a blog on instagram who first reported the story. Fans are saying he should just apologize and move on.

No Cooking With Fire This Sunday in Benin City Due to Funeral Rites ofthe Late Oba

As part of activities for the continuation of the 15 days funeral rites of late Benin Monarch, Oba Erediauwa, residents in Benin kingdom have been told not to cook with fire on Sunday 5th June. It is the day of Igberimwin in the royal funeral rites programme. A press statement signed by Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Mr. Frank Irabor said the cooking without fire was in accordance with Benin customs and tradition. The statement said all Benin's as well as non-indigenes in the kingdom were expected to observe the Igberimwin rites. PREVIOUS <<<< >>>> NEXT