KOLKATA,(Web Desk) – At least 14 people were killed and 70 were injured after a partially built flyover collapsed in India’s eastern city of Kolkata on Thursday, Indian media reported.
Police, rescuers and passersby were attempting to lift slabs of concrete and metal from the road below, TV reports said, showing at least one body in the wreckage.
Officials fear many more may have died in what the state government called a monumental tragedy.
“I think at least 150 people are under the debris,” a witness said.
At least 10 people died and many are feared trapped after a flyover under construction collapsed in #Kolkata, India.https://t.co/uSFYdoZjqh
— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 31, 2016
The army was called in for what was turning out to be a colossal rescue effort.
Firefighters and residents were seen trying with their bare hands to pull out those trapped under chunks of concrete and metal.
The 2-km flyover was being constructed at Burrabazar, a busy area in central Kolkata near the famous Ganesh Talkies. It has been under construction since 2009 and has missed several deadlines for completion.
Kolkata is the venue of this Sunday’s World T20 cricket final.
Control room opened for flyover collapse, helpline number: 1070
“NDRF & Control Room Active- Helpline Number “1070” :: More Than 10 Dead & Too Many People Still Trapped” {#Kolkata} pic.twitter.com/9Q48YRQ1dO
— #अजीत डोभाल (@Ajit_Dobhal) March 31, 2016
Deadly construction accidents are tragically common in South Asia: https://t.co/we0XBjXczH #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/QsgT8bliop
— CNN International (@cnni) March 31, 2016
#Kolkata flyover collapse: Follow live updates here https://t.co/IQnoa31Qh4 pic.twitter.com/WfUmxioVQH
— Times of India (@timesofindia) March 31, 2016
