18 killed in Kolkata Flyover Collapse; West Bengal Government Orders Probe Into Tragedy

The flyover has been under construction for 5 years; Opposition parties demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

The bridge collapsed in Northern Kolkata, near Ganesh Talkies

Kolkata: At least 18 people were killed and several injured on Thursday after a bridge under constructioncollapsed in Burrabazar, a busy bustling market area in north Kolkata. Police, fire and disaster management personnel have rushed to the crash site and rescue operations are underway to save people trapped in the rubble. No confirmation of the number of people who are feared trapped.

Part of the ill-fated Vivekananda Setu has been under construction since 2009 collapsed around 24:35. "I had left my house for a glass of juice from the corner store. When I heard the loud explosion. At first I thought it was an earthquake and then before my eyes the overpass collapsed," a local resident Prem Prakash Tiwari said .

The West Bengal government ordered a high level investigation into the tragedy that triggered a blame game with the opposition accusing the government Mamata Banerjee insensitivity.

Mamata Banerjee who visited the site said more than 70 were injured in the mishap and 5,000 people were carrying out rescue operations. Banerjee who was Junglemahal tour as part of TMC's election campaign, canceled his public events in West Midnapore and rushed back to the city in his helicopter to review the situation.

3 FIRs have been registered against IVRCL infrastructure company, which is responsible for the building. However, the company said in an earlier statement had tried to ignore the responsibility by calling the accident an 'act of God'.

"45% of work was left, a beam was lost and fell second. It's just an act of God," said KP Rao, IVRCL Infrastructure Company. He said such an incident had never happened before and were surprised by the sudden collapse.

Rescue operations are underway in full swing at the accident site.

Another witness said the flyover collapsed on a mini bus with passengers on board, one Innova, two taxis, two matador vans and some cars were crushed under the rubble.

For nearly two hours, the police personnel, firefighters and disaster management struggled to rescue people trapped under thousands of tons of concrete and steel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modiexpressed regret for the accident and instructed and all possible assistance center in rescue and relief operations.

"Saddened by the sudden collapse of under construction flyover in Calcutta, have taken stock of operations and rescue situation," Modi, who is in the US on an official visit, he tweeted.

Sources said that the prime minister is in contact with officials in Delhi and has instructed all possible assistance to be extended by the Army and NDRF in rescue and relief operations.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted their concern and announced that rescue teams rushed to the scene.

Hundreds of local residents gathered at the disaster site and began to extend a helping hand to the victims and the local administration. "There were some heart-rending scenes as in a totally trapped and invisible from the outside person managed to push his arm bleeding to seek help. Two local people offered a bottle of water," said a witness.

Earlier Chief Secretary Basudeb Banerjee, Interior Minister Moloy From another and senior bureaucrats and police personnel had led to the site to supervise the rescue and relief operation.

As soon as Ms. Banerjee arrived at the scene of the accident, she grabbed a handheld microphone and calls on local people for cooperation. "This is a huge tragedy and I want all your help and cooperation," he said. In his statement, the Chief Secretary announced a Rs. 5 lakh compensation to the families of those killed and Rs. 3 lakh seriously injured.

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 80 staff were transferred to the place flyover collapse.

Director General NDRF O P Singh said in New Delhi that teams are being sent from your local base in Rajarhat, Kolkata near the airport.

The crash site is about 13 kilometers from the base NDRF. "The teams are well equipped to immediately carry out rescue operations. They will do exactly what before they arrive," Singh said.