Flyover collapses in Kolkata: Army, NDRF teams race against time to rescue people trapped under debris
A flyover collapsed in Kolkata on Thursday, killing at least 15 people and injuring more than 70.
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An under-construction flyover collapsed on Rabindra Sarani- KK Tagore street in Kolkata on Thursday. At least 15 people died while more than 70 were injured in the tragedy. PTI
The incident took place at around noon at the busy Rabindra Sarani-KK Tagore Street crossing near Burrabazar, the trading hub and one of the most congested areas in the city. A number of hawkers operate under the flyover which is also used for parking several vehicles. PTI
The Vivekananda flyover has been facing issues since the operations began in December 2009. The construction is years behind schedule and as of March 2016, over 25 percent of the work was still pending. PTI
Several passenger vehicles, including a bus, were trapped under the debris. Rescuers brought in huge cranes to clear the debris and save the injured. NDRF personnel were also rushed to the site to to assist in the rescue operations. PTI
Several injured persons were rescued from under the debris and sent to different hospitals in the vicinity. "Two persons were brought dead and two others were in serious condition," Kolkata Medical College and Hospital superintendent Sikha Banerjee said. PTI
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was campaigning in West Midnapore, rushed back to the city and visited the site. She directed the authorities to speed up the relief and rescue operations carried out by police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel. PTI
At the government's request, the Army deployed four columns of rescue personnel. Each column has three medical teams with two ambulances and surgeons along with nursing assistants, a defence official said. A team of engineers from the army has also reached the spot with specialist equipment to help the civic authorities dismantle the debris. PTI
The state government has opened an emergency helpline with number 1070 from the state secretariat Nabanna to provide information related to those injured or killed in the mishap. PTI