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Kolkata flyover collapse: several people dead and many feared trapped Kolkata flyover collapse: several dead and many feared trapped
(about 2 hours later)
At least 10 people have died and 150 are feared to be trapped after a flyover being built in Kolkata collapsed.At least 10 people have died and 150 are feared to be trapped after a flyover being built in Kolkata collapsed.
Firefighters and residents were trying to rescue those trapped under the wreckage of the metal and cement structure, which came down in a busy commercial district of the Indian city.Firefighters and residents were trying to rescue those trapped under the wreckage of the metal and cement structure, which came down in a busy commercial district of the Indian city.
“Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on. Many feared dead,” Derek O’Brien, spokesman for the left-wing party that governs the state of West Bengal of which Kolkata is the capital, said in a tweet.
Huge Chunk Fell Of Vivekananda Flyover, Many Killed: LIVE Updates - https://t.co/gJ5cGulBJU pic.twitter.com/u6QEQ6tyuOHuge Chunk Fell Of Vivekananda Flyover, Many Killed: LIVE Updates - https://t.co/gJ5cGulBJU pic.twitter.com/u6QEQ6tyuO
Television footage from the scene showed a bloodied hand reaching out from under what appeared to be a massive girder. People were trying to hand bottles of water to survivors pinned underneath.Television footage from the scene showed a bloodied 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.“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 taxi that was crushed in the collapse. The Indian home minister, Rajnath Singh, tweeted his concern and announced that rescue teams would be rushed to the scene.
There was little sign of a coordinated rescue operation, with access for heavy lifting equipment restricted by the proximity of buildings on either side of the flyover and heavy traffic. 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.
The flyover has been under construction since 2009 and has missed several deadlines for completion. A senior police officer on the scene said that 15 critically injured people had been rescued. “Most were bleeding profusely. The problem is that nobody is able to drive an ambulance to the spot,” said Akhilesh Chaturvedi.
Construction projects in India have long been plagued by lax safety standards. The 1.2 mile flyover has been under construction since 2009 and has missed several deadlines for completion.
“The concrete had been laid last night at this part of the bridge,” resident Ramesh Kejriwal said. “I am lucky as I was planning to go downstairs to have juice. When I was thinking about it, I saw that the bridge had collapsed.”
Construction projects in India have long been plagued by lax safety standards and dubious ties between politicians and business.
The disaster could play a role in the West Bengal state election, one of five being held from next month that will give a verdict on Narendra Modi’s nearly two years as prime minister.