KOLKATA: In an unfortunate incident, an under-construction flyover collapsed in the middle of the city of Kolkata, killing at least 10 and rendering dozens injured. In what the state government called a monumental tragedy, the rate of deaths are feared will rise.
Under construction since 2009, at Burrabazar, a busy area in central Kolkata, the Vivekananda Road flyover, near the famous Ganesh Talkies came crashing down pinning several people under the concrete mass. Eye-witnesses say at least 100 people could be possibly trapped under the debris. A loud explosion was followed by a crashing sound and a cloud of smoke as huge chunks of concrete and tangled metal came down. TV visuals have also reported a fire from under the bridge, possibly linked to fuel tanks that were under the flyover. Rescue operations are currently underway with over 70 members of the National Disaster Response working together with the Indian Army.
A horrifying television footage even showed a bloody hand reaching out from under what appeared to be a massive girder. People have been trying to reach water bottles to survivors caught under the debris. A police officer at the scene, Raichand Mohta said, “The condition is pathetic. At this moment no one has any clue how many people are trapped.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who was scheduled to go for an election rally, has cancelled and returned to the city.
