Four persons were killed and several others injured after a 40-year-old flyover in Kolkata collapsed on Tuesday reminding the horror of another similar crash two years ago in the city.
The bridge, which is located over the Majerhat railway station, connecting Behala and a part of central Kolkata, collapsed around 5 pm. So far 19 people have been rescued and taken to hospital.
The reason of the collapse is not immediately known, but official sources said that the bridge was supposed to be taken for a renovation.
Message has been sent to defence ministry in Delhi and army columns have been asked to be ready for the rescue operations.
With darkness falling soon, the rescue efforts have been affected. Police sources said as per the eye witnesses around 15 to 20 people along with several vehicles are feared trapped under the debris. The East West Metro expansion was going on under the flyover and most of those trapped are believed to be the Metro labourers.
Senior ministers of West Bengal, along with Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, are overseeing the rescue operations. An Army team also have been rushed to the spot.
A major disaster was avoided as a local train, supposed to be passed under the bridge, halted minutes before the flyover collapsed.
Fort William, the eastern headquarters of the Indian Army, said, "Three columns are ready to move." They will move once they get signal from the home department of West Bengal government.
"Our job is to rescue the people trapped. We will find the reasons later," said municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim. The minister, however, ruled out calling the Army saying, "It's not required."
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is in Darjeeling, is trying to come back to Kolkata. She asked all ministers and police to rush to the spot.
The injured have been shifted to SSKM hospital in Kolkata and some other private hospitals. Some locals, however, said that it took the police and the disaster management team 25 minutes to reach the spot.
The flyover was constructed by Kolkata port trust 40 years ago. The Kolkata mint and other heritage buildings are located close to the bridge.
The flyover was not repaired for years. "Probably the bridge collapsed due to metro railway development work. The metro link was to be extended from Joka in Behala to Dalhousie square," said an officer of the West Bengal government.
