A section of 40-year old Majerhat bridge in a busy area of South Kolkata collapsed on September 4 following heavy rains. According to initial reports, many people are feared trapped under the debris, some still in their vehicles. Rescue operations are underway.
Eyewitnesses said that around 4.45 pm, a huge part of the Majerhat bridge came crashing down.
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.”
According to the police, 15 people have been rescued so far and rushed to the SSKM hospital.
West Bengal Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Darjeeling, ordered an inquiry into the bridge collapse.
State Minister Firhad Hakim, who is at the spot of the Majerhat bridge collapse, said that all those who were trapped have been rescued. He added, “It was a 40-year-old bridge. As of now, there are no deaths, but search operations are underway.”
BJP leader Mukul Roy while blaming the state government and CM for the bridge collapse said, “They are saying beautification of city is on, but repair work of old construction is not on her (Mamata Banerjee) mind.”
Roy added, “The state government should take complete responsibility of this collapse.”
