'God's act', 'Monumental tragedy': Who said what after the Kolkata flyover collapse

An under-construction flyover collapsed near Ganesh Talkies in north Kolkata’s Girish Park area killed at least 18 people and injured 78 on Thursday. The Vivekananda Setu crashed on a moving traffic. Rescuers and authorities confirmed to media that there were many who are still trapped under the debris. Rescue teams are working to pull out cars at the site of collapse. The place around the crash remained chaotic as Army personnel were deployed in large number, Firstpost correspondent from Kolkata, Sujanya said. Several political leaders expressed their grief and support over the mishap. Here is what they had to say: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in touch with officials in Delhi and has instructed all possible assistance to be extended by Army and NDRF in rescue and relief operations, expressed shock and sadness over the loss of lives in the collapse.

Shocked & saddened by collapse of under construction flyover in Kolkata. Took stock of the situation & rescue operations.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2016

My thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in Kolkata. May the injured recover at the earliest.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2016

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told CNN-IBN: This is a serious matter and case of gross negligence. Will take strong action against those responsible. We will take care of all the expenses of all the injured, we hope for their speedy recovery. Rahul Gandhi, Congress vice-president:

News of the collapse of a flyover in Kolkata extremely tragic. I hope rescue &relief ops reach those trapped and injured at the earliest

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 31, 2016

Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Deeply saddened to know that precious lives have been lost in the Kolkata accident.My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 31, 2016

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Derek O’Brien:

Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on.Many feared dead. Chief Sec/Home Sec at site. CM headed back to Kol immediately.This is the update I have

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) March 31, 2016

K Panduranga Rao, a senior official of the IVRCL group, one of the builders of the bridge: A girder must have been missed and another probably fell. It is nothing but God’s act. This has not happened to us in 27 years. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Rajya Sabha member: This is a clear case of corruption, there should be a CBI inquiry into this," ANI quoted Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi as saying. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs: It is a very sad news for us. NDRF teams have been dispatched. We will provide whatever support needed. State government is already doing whatever is necessary. Monetary requirements are not the priority right now, rescue and relief is. Any development projects need to incorporate disaster mitigation concept. Basudeb Banerjee, Bengal chief secretary: The state government will pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of every person who died and Rs 2 lakh for those who are injured. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Congress leader:  Urban development minister Firhad Hakim should be arrested immediately. The police came to the spot after a good two hours. Why? The rescue operation should have been started within an hour. We demand full investigation. People are dying like cats and dogs. We will go to the hospitals and our supporters will donate as much blood as required to treat the injured. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports:  The MHA, disaster management agencies always take cognisance of such incidents. The central government has been forthcoming even in the past when there was a natural calamity like this. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

V sad to hear the tragedy in Kolkatta. My prayers with victims n their families.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 31, 2016

Asok Bhattacharya, ex-Urban Development Minister and CPM leader The present urban development minister has to shoulder responsibility. There should be a high-level inquiry. Suhel Seth, author:

The flyover collapse in Calcutta is a horrible tragedy. Let's refrain from playing politics over it.

— SUHEL SETH (@Suhelseth) March 31, 2016

OP Singh, NDRF DG: Our priority is that those who are alive under the debris should be rescued. All kinds of cutters are being used to make an entry. We dont have the death toll or information on how many are injured. 100 metres of the bridge have collapsed.