Several people are feared trapped after a portion of a bridge collapsed in south Kolkata this evening, authorities said. The Majerhat Bridge on busy Diamond Harbour Road reportedly collapsed around 4.45 pm on Tuesday.
Images from TV channels showed many vehicles buried under the rubble. Witnesses said that no rescue team could reach the spot till 5 pm and locals were trying help the injured.
On March 31, 2016, an under construction flyover in city’s Burrabazar caved in, killing 27 people.
The army, which has its base in the nearby Fort William, has sent its personnel for rescue work. Derek O’Brien, lawmaker of the state’s ruling Congress, tweeted: “Cranes already put into action. Fire fighters using ladders already being used. Disaster management teams at work.”
The 40-year-old bridge, built by the Port Trust, stood over some rail tracks in Alipour — one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.
