Under-construction flyover collapses in Varanasi, 16 dead, several injured, trapped under debris

Sixteen people were killed and several injured after an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi’s cantonment area today. The flyover is being constructed between Lahartara and Chauka Ghat. Varanasi is the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The national disaster response force (NDRF) has launched a rescue operation at the site.

“A team of rescuers have been sent to the spot. Rescue operation has been started. We are gathering inputs,” a senior official of NDRF told mediapersons.

50 people are feared trapped under the debris. 3 people have been safely rescued so far. Many of those trapped are reported to be labourers who were working on the flyover.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief following the incident.

वाराणसी में कैण्ट स्टेशन के सामने निर्माणाधीन पुल के एक हिस्से के गिरने की दुर्घटना में लोगों की मृत्यु पर गहरा दुःख हुआ। ईश्वर से दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति एवं परिजनों को संबल देने की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) May 15, 2018

UP deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya is on his way to Varanasi.

#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने वाराणसी में निर्माणाधीन पुल गिरने की घटना पर दुख जताया है और उन्होंने जिला प्रशासन को तेजी से बचाव कार्य करते हुए लोगों की हर संभव मदद करने के निर्देश दिए हैं। उप मुख्यमंत्री श्री @kpmaurya1 कुछ ही देर में वाराणसी पहुंचेंगे।

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 15, 2018

CM Adityanath has directed the district administration and PWD officials to take all necessary steps for rescue operations.

जिला प्रशासन, पुलिस, स्वास्थ्य विभाग एवं अन्य सम्बन्धित विभागों के अधिकारियों को निर्देश दिये हैं कि वे तत्काल प्रभावितों को हर सम्भव सहायता प्रदान करें।

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) May 15, 2018

Officials from local administration have reached the spot and are taking stock of the situation. “It is an unfortunate incident. All hospitals in the area are on alert. Any casualty would be attended to immediately,” said Sidharth Nath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Health Minister.

Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry into the tragedy and has instructed the 3-member committee to submit report within 48 hours.

PM Modi has expressed grief over the incident.

Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2018

I spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The UP Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2018

Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav asks party members to reach the spot and help people

वाराणसी में पुल के हादसे में लोगों को बचाने के लिए मैं वहाँ के अपने सभी कार्यकर्ताओं से अपील करता हूँ कि वे बचाव दल के साथ पूरा सहयोग करें और सरकार से ये अपेक्षा करता हूँ कि वो केवल मुआवज़ा देकर अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी से नहीं भागेगी बल्कि पूरी ईमानदारी से जाँच करवायेगी.

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 15, 2018

Akhilesh Yadav says govt has to answer whether the incident is an accident or a result of corruption.

ये है देश की सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता वाले संसदीय क्षेत्र में विकास की सच्चाई. ये हाल तब है जबकि प्रदेशीय मंत्री यहां लगातार तथाकथित निरीक्षण करने आते रहे हैं. ये हादसा एक ऐक्सिडेंट है या भ्रष्टाचार का परिणाम, आज प्रदेश की सरकार को ये जवाब वाराणसी की जनता को देना ही होगा.

— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) May 15, 2018

Girder flipped from crane while being adjusted: Eyewitness

According to an eyewitness, the girder flipped from the crane while being adjusted on the pillars. There was no diversion on the road and no arrangement of services like ambulance and safety at the site.According to an officer of UP State Bridge Corporation, the interlocking work was underway when the accident happened around 6 pm

Flyover was being built by UP State Bridge Corporation

This flyover was being constructed by Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation and was supposed to be inaugurated last December. According to DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, five teams of NDRF (250 jawans) have been deployed for the rescue. Police says one city bus, five cars, two auto rickshaws and many motorcycles are under the debris. The NDRF has rescued five critically injured people.

Yogi Adityanath announces compensation of Rs 5 lakh for kin of those dead, Rs 2 lakh for injured