A section of a bridge in a busy area of posh south Kolkata came crashing down this afternoon, triggering shock across the city. Many people are feared trapped underneath, some still in their vehicles. One person was killed, 24 were injured and they have been shifted to the hospital. The army, which has its base in the nearby Fort William, has sent its personnel for rescue work.
The 40-year-old bridge, built by the Port Trust, stood over some rail tracks in Alipore -- one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
Eyewitnesses said around 4.45 pm, a huge segment of the bridge came crashing down. Pictures from the area showed the collapsed section resting on the road, at least nine vehicles, including a mini bus, and several two-wheelers still on it.
Here are the highlights from the bridge collapse in south Kolkata:
RVNL Chief Project Manager/Line AK Roy said the collapse of Majerhat road overbridge (ROB) girder over canal portion was a "mid-span failure of RCC girder which are very old and of longer length of approximately 40 metres".
"There is no relationship of Metro project construction with this mid-span failure of RCC girder of the ROB. In fact, the condition of piers on both ends are clear indication of this," he said in a statement, according to a PTI report.
Mr Roy said the approach piers of ROB on both ends of the affected span were intact in position.
"Metro foundation work at 4.5 m away from this ROB's piers has been completed long back (more than one year) and presently preparatory work away from the ROB was in progress for deck casting," he said.
The RVNL is the executing agency for construction of the Joka-BBD Bag metro corridor, which passes through the vicinity of the Majerhat bridge.
Kolkata: Search & rescue operation underway at the spot where part of Majerhat bridge collapsed earlier today. Clearance work also going on. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/v9yCbJM0j9
- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
Train services between Sealdah and Budge Budge resumed from 9 pm. Circular Railway train services are being maintained between Dum Dum junction and Prinsep Ghat stations, ER spokesperson RN Mahapatra said, according to PTI.
The 30711 Ballygunge-Duttapukur local via Circular Railway, which was stranded en route, was diverted through the Ballygunge-Kankurgachi line from New Alipore at 7.21 pm. Four pairs of local trains in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section had to be cancelled, the official said.
Eastern Railway maintained that no railway construction was going on near the collapsed portion of the bridge. It also stated that maintenance of the collapsed portion was not under their jurisdiction.
"It was around 4.45 pm. We saw a minibus, cars and bikes come down with the bridge. We ran towards the spot," he said.
Another eyewitness said the bridge collapsed on the canal flowing under it, preventing a major tragedy.
"Had it collapsed on the railway tracks a major disaster could have occurred if a train arrived at that time," he said.
Shortly after the bridge collapsed, personnel from fire brigade, police and NDRF reched the spot, eye witnesses said. Locals too chipped in with the rescue work under way.
Cranes, iron cutters and drills were brought in to remove the debris, said the report from PTI.
A minibus, four cars and a few motorbikes damaged by the accident lay at the site as rescue workers tried to pull out the injured from the vehicles.
The rescue operation was continuing amidst intermittent rain.
As evening turned to night, power supply in the area was restored and additional arrangements were made to facilitate the fire brigade personnel trying to reach those still feared trapped underneath the tonnes of concrete.
"We are drilling on one side of the collapsed concrete to find whether anyone is trapped under," a fire brigade official said.
Nearby areas had been dug up for metro railway construction work and construction material are strewn all over the place.
The entire area has been cordoned off by police after curious onlookers gathered around the site of the accident.
Prantika Goswami, a student, who was in a minibus during the collapse of the bridge was injured and taken to a hospital, according to PTI.
Governor KN Tripathi, who visited the site, described it as "a big disaster".
"I have come to see the rescue work. It is a big disaster. I heard that maintenance of the bridge is entrusted with the PWD and the railways. The matter required to be enquired," he told reporters.
While four teams of the NDRF comprising about 180 personnel have already reached the spot, another team comprising about 45 rescuers is on its way, Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted.
He described the incident as extremely tragic and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The home minister also spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee who apprised him about the ground situation.
He assured Ms Banerjee of more help from the centre if needed.
HM Shri @rajnathsingh spoke to West Bengal Chief Minister Ms @MamataOfficial regarding the bridge collapse in Kolkata. She has apprised him of the ground situation. HM assured her of more help from the Centre, if needed. https://t.co/4XxfDEBIjM
- HMO India (@HMOIndia) September 4, 2018
The bridge collapse incident in Kolkata is a extremely tragic. Four NDRF teams have already reached the spot. One more team is on the way. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
- Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 4, 2018
Read Here: Second Bridge Collapse In 3 Years In Kolkata, One Dead: 10 PointsThe bridge (Majerhat) collapse incident in Kolkata is extremely tragic. Four NDRF teams have already reached the spot. One more team is on the way. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured: Home Minister Rajnath Singh (file pic) pic.twitter.com/AMKpY1z1yo
- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
Road Traffic Affected, Train Services Hit Due To Kolkata Bridge CollapseTransport services connecting the vast areas in the south-western part of the city and South 24 Parganas district were severely affected owing to collapse of a portion of a road over bridge at Majherhat on the arterial Diamond Harbour Road Tuesday.
Central Armed Police Force reach the spot where part of Majerhat bridge in South Kolkata has collapsed. #WestBengal pic.twitter.com/hPIt3hkoCM
- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, said in a televised address: "We are still assessing the gravity of the situation and we cannot talk about the deaths right now."
Anguished to learn about the collapse of a part of bridge in Kolkata. I have asked our @BJP4Bengal unit to join the rescue operation and assist people in need. My thoughts with families of those affected. May the injured recover soon.
- Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 4, 2018
Bridge deserved better maintenance. There was a report on a pit here for quite some time, I don't know whether PWD noted it. PWD and railway administration had the responsibility to maintain it. Matter requires investigation: West Bengal Governor on Kolkata bridge collapse (ANI) pic.twitter.com/F4k3nbuNq1
- NDTV (@ndtv) September 4, 2018
Disaster management teams employed cranes for the rescue operation.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, now on a trip to Darjeeling in North Bengal, expressed concern over the incident and said her government will initiate a probe into the collapse.
Mamata Banerjee, After Bridge Collapse, Says No Flights Today, Can't ReturnThe collapse of a part of a bridge in Kolkata is deeply unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2018
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
DH Road towards Taratala is closed to traffic from Diamond Park and Sakher Bazar. Necessary diversions are on.
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
DH Road is closed to traffic from CGR Road.
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
DH Road is closed to traffic from Ekbalpore Crossing.
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
Alipore Road is closed to traffic from Judges Court Road.
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
As Majherhat Bridge collapsed for
1. North ward journey avail Hastings -> CGR -> Taratala and
2. Southward journey DH Road-> Taratala ->CGR Road .
A Kolkata Traffic Police officer said traffic movement through Diamond Harbour Road in Taratala area has been suspended following the incident.
Traffic from various parts of South 24 Parganas and Behala area in the city were being diverted from Diamond Park area, the officer said.
Movement of traffic towards south-west Kolkata and South 24 Parganas were being diverted from Kidderpore and through Port area and Circular Garden Reach Road, he said.
Train services in Circular Railway and Sealdah-Budge Budge line have been suspended as precautionary measure following the collapse of a portion of the bridge at 4.45 pm, Eastern Railway spokesman RN Mahapatra said, quoted by PTI.
The collapse of a portion of the bridge over railway tracks occurred in the adjacent areas of Circular Railway line at Majherhat, leading to a signal post on the track being damaged by the debris, Mahapatra said.
Train movement through Majherhat had been suspended temporarily as a precautionary measure, he said.
Train services on Budge Budge Sealdah line may be restored after ensuring the safety in train running, he said.
Thousands of people travelling in the peak evening hours were inconvenienced owing to the incident.
Read Here: Bridge Collapses In South Kolkata; All Rescued, Says MinisterChief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a visit to Darjeeling, said the priority for now "is relief and rescue... The rest of the investigation will be done later".
Mamata Banerjee on Majerhat bridge collapse | মাজেরহাটে উড়ালপুল দুর্ঘটনার সম্বন্ধে প্রতিক্রিয়া মুখ্যমন্ত্রীরhttps://t.co/B2oBocWM6e
- AITC (@AITCofficial) September 4, 2018
Derek O'Brien Tweets On Kolkata Bridge CollapseThe area has several under-construction buildings nearby.
An eyewitness said some people in a minibus and private cars were trapped, according to PTI.
Fire brigade, police and NDRF personnel are engaged in rescue work in the fading light.
It was a 40-year-old bridge. As of now there has been no casualty, but search operations are underway, let us wait: Firhad Hakim, State Urban Development Minister on #Majerhat #KolkataBridgeCollapse
- AITC (@AITCofficial) September 4, 2018
EMU local train services were suspended from 4.45 pm owing to the collapse of a portion of the bridge, the official said quoted by PTI.
However, train services in the Sealdah-Budge Budge section, which also passes under the bridge, was not affected, he said.
State Govt&CM is responsible for this bridge collapse.They are saying beautification of city is on,but repair work of old constructions is not on her mind. State govt should take complete responsibilty of this collapse: Mukul Roy, BJP, on Majerhat bridge collapse. #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/yJW2snticU
- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
All those who were trapped have been rescued: Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Minister on Majerhat bridge collapse. #Kolkata pic.twitter.com/YP19pgbhpZ
- ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2018
Bridge Collapses In South Kolkata's Majerhat, Many Feared TrappedA bridge collapsed in Majerhat in south Kolkata and a large section crashed, leaving many cars trapped. The bridge stood over some rail tracks in Alipur, one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars. The army, which has its base in the nearby Fort William, has already sent its personnel for rescue work in the area.
Watch: Kolkata Bridge Collapses, Rescue Teams On Spot
Traffic update:-
- DCP Traffic Kolkata (@KPTrafficDept) September 4, 2018
DH Road towards Majherhat Bridge is closed to traffic from NR Avenue. Necessary diversions are on.
Our team is focused on relief and rescue work. Our priority is relief and rescue. Rest of the investigation will be done later: Mamata Banerjee (now on an official visit to Darjeeling)
- AITC (@AITCofficial) September 4, 2018
We are very worried. We are receiving information from the rescue team on ground. We want to go back as soon as possible. There are no flights in the evening, we are unable to do so: Mamata Banerjee (now on an official visit to Darjeeling)
- AITC (@AITCofficial) September 4, 2018
The bridge collapsed in Alipore area also crushing some vehicles, they said.
Fire brigade, police and NDRF personnel are engaged in rescue, according to PTI.
Watching scenes of Majerhat bridge #Kolkata collapse . Devastating. Rescue teams, disaster management teams, Police CP,fire fighters already reach spot. Locals join. Rescue operations on.Prayers for those affected. Difficult to gauge enormity of tragedy as yet looking at visuals
- Derek O'Brien (@derekobrienmp) September 4, 2018
Six people are believed to be injured and many are feared trapped.
The bridge, which is among the busiest in the city, collapsed over rail tracks in the Alipore area. Rescue operations are on.
The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
Bridge Collapses In South Kolkata's Majerhat, Many Feared TrappedA bridge collapsed in Majerhat in south Kolkata and a large section crashed, leaving many cars trapped.
