A flyover bridge collapsed on traffic and vendors in India’s populous city of Kolkata on Thursday, killing at least 20 people with dozens feared trapped.
Efforts to rescue survivors believed trapped under the metal and cement structure in the Burrabazar area continued throughout the night.
The National Disaster Response Force said more than 100 people had been rescued and taken to hospital. Spokesman Anil Shekhawat said “Five teams with equipment are on the spot, carrying out rescue operations.”
The 2 kilometre overpass had been under construction for more than eight years, missing several deadlines and failing to meet safety inspections – a problem that plagues construction projects across the country. A witness, Ramesh Kejriwal, suggested the collapse occurred at a point where concrete has been laid the previous night.
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Screenshot from Guardian video shows rescuers searching for survivors after the Kolkata flyover collapse.
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