Bridge collapses in south Kolkatta, several people feared trapped while many die

A section of a bridge in a bustling area of elite south Kolkatta collapsed this noon, sending waves of shock in the city. A number of people are feared to be trapped while some are still stuck in their vehicles. Several people injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital said Firhad Hakim, the state minister asserted that all the people trapped have been rescued.

As per the eye-witnesses of the incident, one man died while they were trying to rescue him.

The army which has its base situated in the vicinity at Fort William has sent its personnel for rescue operations. Derek O’Brien, the Congress lawmaker of the state, tweeted, “Cranes already put into action. Firefighters using ladders already being used. Disaster management teams at work.”

Cranes already put into action. Fire fighters using ladders already being used. Disaster management teams at work #KolkataBridgeCollapse

— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও’ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) September 4, 2018

The bridge that is 40 years old and was built by Port Trust, stood over some rail tracks in Alipour that is one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by buildings that are half-constructed, pillars and scaffolding.

As per the people who witnessed the event stated that at around 4:45 p.m., a huge part of the bridge came crashing down and around nine vehicles that include a minibus and a number of two-wheelers on it.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of the state, who is on a visit to Darjeeling stated that the priority is rescue and relief and the rest of the investigation will follow later.

So far, 90 people have been rescued with injuries at various levels who were rescued from under the debris. 26 people have been found dead, buried under concrete weighing tonnes. A total of eight engineers have been arrested in the case.