Under construction flyover collapses in Varanasi; at least 18 dead

Varanasi: A part of an under-construction flyover, opposite Varanasi Cantt Railways Station, collapsed here on Tuesday evening, leaving at least more than two dozen people dead, confirmed a source.

More than 50 people and many vehicles are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed flyover, added the source.

As per the official announcement, a total of 18 dead bodies have been recovered so far while three people were rescued alive. Five vehicles, including four cars and aa bus were trapped under the debris which now have been cleared from the accident spot.

The Uttar pradesh government has announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased while Rs 2 lakh each to the injured.

"After being held responsible for today's incident,Chief Project Manager HC Tiwari, Project Manager KR Sudan, Assistant Engineer Rajesh Singh & engineer Lal Chand have been suspended with immediate effect," said Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has left to meet the victims of Varanasi under-construction flyover collapse incident. He will also visit the site of the incident.

The authorities have confirmed that seven National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams of around 325 men have been deployed to execute the relief operations.

As per the Relief Commissioner, Uttar Pradesh, Sanjay Kumar, the 2,261 meter long flyover was being constructed by Bridge Corporation at a total cost of Rs 129 crore. The 56 per cent of the total project had been completed, while the span of the bridge that collapsed was constructed in February this year.

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Director General of Police (DGP) OP 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.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been dispatched to help the authorities in clearing the debris and pulling out the injured from the debris.

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

It is worth mentioning that the bridge had been under construction since long in the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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.

https://twitter.com/CMOfficeUP/status/996375227947859968

Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya has left for the accident location.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter saying he has talked to CM Yogi to take cognizance of the situation in his parliamentary constituency.

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/996385203546341376

https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/996385344294551554

Former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav also appealed Samajwadi Party workers to help the NDRF teams in rescue operations.

https://twitter.com/yadavakhilesh/status/996384795868491776

Check pics of the collapsed bridge:

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