Varanasi flyover collapse: 18 dead, more feared trapped in debris as 325 NDRF personnel continue rescue operations

Varanasi: Eighteen persons were killed as an under-construction flyover collapsed on Tuesday in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official said. The incident took place in front of the Varanasi Cantt Railway Station. “Many cars are buried under the heap of rubble and over two dozen persons have been injured in the incident. The death toll may go up,” a police official told IANS. Three persons were pulled out alive of the crashed structure. Two persons admitted at a medical facility were said to be in a critical condition, an official spokesman told IANS. [caption id=“attachment_4470971” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Locals and rescue teams gather near crushed vehicles after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi on Tuesday. PTI[/caption] Director General of Police (DGP) OP Singh said that additional police teams had been sent to Varanasi from neighbouring places to expedite the rescue operation. According to Varanasi District Magistrate Rameshwar Mishra, the rescue operations were on in full swing. A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been dispatched to help the authorities in clearing the debris and pulling out the injured from the debris. Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that seven NDRF teams comprising 325 rescuers have been deployed at the spot to carry out rescue operations. “Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far. Three persons have been pulled out alive from under the debris,” he told IANS earlier, adding that three-four people could still be trapped. The flyover was being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation between Chauka Ghat bus stand and Lahartara. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its findings within 48 hours, said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya left for the site of the accident soon after the mishap occurred. Mourning the loss of lives, Yogi Adityanath said: “My condolence to the affected families. I have sent Dy CM & minister Neelkanth Tiwari to the spot. Formed committee to look into the incident, report to come in 48 hours.” The chief minister also said, “5 teams of NDRF (250 jawans) with full equipment rushed to the spot of the accident in Varanasi. Compensation of Rs 5 lakh for kin of those dead and Rs 2 lakh for seriously injured in the incident.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet mourned the deaths, saying: “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected.” “I spoke to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The Uttar Pradesh Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected,” he said. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh for critically injured.