18 killed in Varanasi flyover collapse

Varanasi : Eighteen persons were killed and several feared trapped after an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

News Agency ANI reported that 18 persons died in Varanasi under-construction flyover collapse incident. The death toll is expected to rise.

ANI also reported that rescue and relief operations are underway but the death toll is expected to rise.

UPDATE: 18 deaths recorded till now in Varanasi under-construction flyover collapse incident. Death toll expected to rise. pic.twitter.com/WeLjUNWiMV

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 15, 2018

ANI further reported that seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams comprising of around 325 men were deployed for relief operations at the site of the flyover collapse. NDRF teams will also be helping the authorities in clearing the debris.

“Many cars are buried under the heap of rubble and over two dozen persons have been injured in the incident. The death toll may go up,” a police official told IANS.

Director General of Police (DGP) O.P. Singh said that additional police teams had been sent to Varanasi from neighbouring places to expedite the rescue operation.

According to Varanasi District Magistrate Rameshwar Mishra, the rescue operations were in full swing.

The flyover was being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation between Chauka Ghat bus stand and Lahartara.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has formed a three-member committee to investigate the incident. The committee has been asked to submit its findings within 48 hours, said a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

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 (मोदी का परिवार) (@myogiadityanath) May 15, 2018

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya left for the site of the accident soon after the mishap occurred.

Mourning the loss of lives, Yogi Adityanath said: “My condolence with the affected families. I have sent Dy CM & minister Neelkanth Tiwari to the spot. Formed committee to look into the incident, report to come in 48 hours.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet mourned the deaths, saying: “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.”

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 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The Uttar Pradesh Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected,” he said.

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

Published on: May 15, 2018 at 21:05 IST

By EP Web Desk

(With Inputs from IANS)