Kolkata flyover collapse
» 21 killed, many trapped under debris
» Death toll likely to go up
» Resuce operations on, Army called in
» News agencies quoted the builder of the flyover as saying it was 'an act of God'.
Kolkata: At least 21 people were killed, over 60 others injured and many trapped as portion of an under- construction two km flyover collapsed on a congested road intersection here, crushing people, vehicles and hawkers.
"It is nothing but God's act," claimed Panduranga Rao of the Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction company engaged in the flyover's construction, drawing all round flak.
Police said that 18 persons have so far died in the incident in Burrabazar area, which houses the city's largest wholesale market, while several others were injured.
Under-construction bridge collapses in North Kolkata near Ganesh Talkies(Girish Park),10 dead. Rescue operation on pic.twitter.com/8tO1lq8UEH
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 31, 2016
The injured were rushed to hospitals in the vicinity.
State administration officials said 62 people have been injured and taken to hospital, while several others were feared trapped under the debris.
A number of vehicles were also crushed under the concrete and steel debris.
CCTV footage showed people, cars, autorickshaws and hawkers coming under the collapsed structure. Some trying to flee the spot were also trapped.
A bloody hand from under a girder gestured for help as people handed over water bottles to survivors pinned underneath.
Four columns of Army personnel (about 300 in number) along with NDRF, state disaster management, city police and fire brigade personnel joined in rescue operations.
Mamata rushes to accident site
Cutting short her visit to West Midnapore district, chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who was campaigning there, rushed back to the city and visited the site and directed the authorities to speed up the relief and rescue operations carried out by police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel.
A blame game erupted with the ruling Trinamool Congress blaming the previous Left Front government, which started construction of the flyover when it was in power, and the Left parties hitting back.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said,"The tender was passed in 2009 by the erstwhile Left Front government and was given to Hyderabad-based IVRCL Construction," adding that the company had not provided the government details of the construction plan despite several reminders.
"Stringent action will be taken against officials of the construction company and others involved," the chief minister, who cut short her election campaign in West Midnapore district and rushed back to the city, said.
State chief secretary Basudeb Banerjee announced compensation of Rs five lakh to the kin of each of the dead, Rs three lakh to those injured seriously and Rs one lakh to those less injured.
"The government will bear all costs for treatment of the injured," he added.
Many feared trapped under the debris
Several passenger vehicles, including a bus, were trapped under the debris, as operations were on to clear the rubble and bring out those trapped under. Huge cranes and other rescue vehicles were pressed into service to clear the debris and bring out the injured.
A PTI correspondent who was at the accident site, saw a number of severely injured persons lying in a pool of blood. At least a few persons were seen trapped under vehicles, concrete and heavy steel girders.
The incident took place at around noon at the busy Rabindra Sarani-K K 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.
NDRF personnel were also rushed to the site to to assist in the rescue operations.
WATCH: Rescue ops underway for those trapped under debris after under-construction bridge collapses in North Kolkatahttps://t.co/t96fZB3Qpr
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 31, 2016
The Army sent ten ambulances along with its complement of medics to the spot.
A team of engineers from the Army also reached the spot with cranes, water bowsers, gas cutters and specialist equipment to help the civic authorities dismantle the debris.
General Officer in Command of Army's Bengal area, Lt Gen Rajeev Tewary supervised the rescue operations.
Compensation for victims' kin
The CM announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh each for those critically injured as well as Rs 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injuries.
PM saddened by flyover collapse, orders central help
Prime minister Narendra Modi expressed shock and sadness over the loss of lives in the flyover collapse in Kolkata and instructed all possible central help in rescue and relief operations.
Shocked & saddened by collapse of under construction flyover in Kolkata. Took stock of the situation & rescue operations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 31, 2016
Helpline numbers
The state government has opened emergency helplines - numbers 1070, 033-22143526, 033-22535185, 033-22145664 at the state secretariat 'Nabanna' to provide information related to those injured or killed in the mishap.
'Act of God'
"It's nothing but a God's act" was how a senior official of IVRCL reacted after the flyover it was constructing in Kolkata collapsed today even as a company official denied any quality or technical issue as the cause behind the incident "as of now".
"It's an act of god," says Management of builder IVRCL, when questioned on Kolkata flyover tragedy #IndiaWithKolkata pic.twitter.com/1kBT5pblh1
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 31, 2016
"It's nothing but a God's act. So far in 27 years we have constructed several number of bridges...it (today's collapse) never happened," K Panduranga Rao, Group Head (HR & Admin) of the Hyderabad-based company told reporters.
Two of IVRCL engineers are also missing from the collapsed site, he said, adding, searches are in progress to find them.
When asked about the reason for the collapse, Director (Operations), A.G.K. Murty, said, "It's not due to any quality issue nor any technical issue, as of now".
Murty said that 70 per cent of work on construction of the flyover had been completed, and today 60th slab was being "done" (when it collapsed).
The two officials said the company would cooperate with government agencies.
"Whatever best possible, we will be doing. All the projects have their own insurance...whatever best possible, we will be doing for the people involved", Murty said.
"We are in deep shock. We at the management are also in shock...we are waiting for what's happened. We are checking," the officials added.
Opposition parties demand high-level probe
Probes into the tragedy has been demanded by the opposition parties.
BJP demanded a CBI inquiry into the collapse."We feel that CBI inquiry should be initiated into the incident, in order to book the culprits. All the culprits, however big they may be, should be arrested. The state should request for a CBI inquiry. This incident is a clear case of rampant corruption regarding the construction of flyovers," Union minister Muqtar Abbas Naqvi said.
The Congress and CPM also demanded high-level probe into the mishap.
CPM Politburo member Mohd Selim said a high-level investigation should be carried out into the incident.
In a similar demand, state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said a probe should be ordered into the entire construction process of the flyover.
(With Agency inputs)
