16 dead, many trapped as under construction flyover collapses in PM Modi’s constituency

Varanasi, May 15: At least 16 people have died and several are feared trapped after a portion of an under construction flyover collapsed in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi today.

Two pillars of the under construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi's Cantt area, bringing a huge slab of concrete down, crushing cars and a local bus under it.

Many of those trapped are reported to be labourers who were working on the flyover.

Five teams of the National Disaster Response Force or NDRF have been deployed to lead the rescue operations. Dozens of policemen are also present at the spot.

Eight cranes are being used to try to lift the debris and a crane with a 200 tonne lifting capacity is also being called in.

Officials say gas cutters are being used and the first priority is to pull out those trapped.

An eyewitness, who was 50 metres from the collapse site, said the help came in after an hour. "Four cars, an auto-rickshaw and a minibus were crushed by it... The help came after an hour," the eyewitness said.

The flyover was being built by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation and chief minister Yogi Adityanath has ordered an inquiry report in 48 hours.

He has also directed his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya and minister Neelkanth Tiwari to visit the spot. "The chief minister has expressed grief and directed the administration to speed up rescue operation," UP minister Sidharth Nath Singh told ANI.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is also the MP of Varanasi, tweeted to say that he has spoken to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected. "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," he said.

The Congress tweeted to say, "We are deeply saddened by the news of the collapse of an under construction flyover in Varanasi. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives. We wish those who are injured a speedy recovery."

Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav appealed to the workers of his Samajwadi Party to assist the rescue teams. He also tweeted, "I hope the government will not just wash their hands off by paying compensation, rather will order a fair investigation."