18 killed in Kolkata flyover collapse; construction firm calls it 'Act of God'

Flyover Vivekananda Setu has been under construction for 5 years; locals pitch in to help with rescue.

Kolkata

: At least 18 people were killed and several injured on Thursday, after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Burrabazar, a bustling crowded market area in north Kolkata. Police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel have rushed to the accident site and rescue operations are underway to save those trapped in the debris. There is no confirmation on the number of people who are feared trapped.

A portion of the ill-fated Vivekananda Setu which has been under construction since 2009 came crashing down at around 12.35 pm. -" I had stepped out of my home to take a glass of juice from the corner shop. When I heard the loud explosion. First I thought it was an earthquake and then before my eyes the flyover collapsed,-" a local resident Prem Prakash Tiwari said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who visited the site said over 50 were injured in the mishap. Banerjee who was touring Junglemahal as part of TMC's election campaign, cancelled her public rallies in West Midnapore and rushed back to the city in her helicopter to review the situation.

The construction company that was building the flyover tried to shrug responsibility and called the accident an ‘Act of God’.

“45% work was left, one girder missed & second one fell. It is nothing but God's act,” said KP Rao of the IVRCL Infrastructure company. He said that such an incident had never happened before and they were shocked by the sudden collapse.

-"The bridge collapsed. I think at least 150 people are in the debris,-" said an eye-witness.

Residents claim cement and concrete was laid for the construction of the bridge only yesterday and it came crashing down all of a sudden on Thursday.

'It was a powerful collapse, sent shivers down my spine,' said another eyewitness, who looked visibly scared.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was in Midnapore for election campaign, rushed to the accident spot to review the situation, cutting short her visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the accident and said the Centre has taken stock of the situation.

-"Saddened by the sudden collapse of under construction flyover in Kolkata, have taken stock of the situation and rescue operations,-" Modi said.

Spoke to DG NDRF who apprised me of the situation at the accident site in Kolkata. NDRF teams have been rushed to the spot for rescue ops

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) March 31, 2016

Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted his concern and announced that rescue teams would be rushed to the scene.

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

Police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel have rushed to the accident site and started rescue work. Cranes have been pressed to remove the debris.

Some people who were rescued with injuries were admitted to hospital.

Reports said that the flyover has been under construction since 2009 and missed several deadlines for completion.

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 (@quizderek) March 31, 2016

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force comprising about 80 personnel have rushed to the flyover collapse spot.

NDRF Director General O P Singh said in Delhi that the teams are being sent from their local base at Rajarhat, near the Kolkata airport.

The accident spot is about 13 kms from the NDRF base. -"The teams are well equipped to immediately conduct rescue operations. They will do that exactly as soon as they reach,-" Singh said.