Kolkata
KolkataKBK Graphics

April 1, 2016

UPDATE: 2:39 p.m. IST — Five officials of Hyderabad-based construction company IVRCL, responsible for the construction of the flyover near Girish Park in North Kolkata that collapsed Thursday, were reportedly detained Friday.

"We have detained a few officials of the construction company. We are taking action against them," the Press Trust of India quoted Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar as saying.

Meanwhile, a team of four West Bengal policemen reached Hyderabad Friday to question the IVRCL officials. "They have come and are doing investigation," a senior Hyderabad Police official told PTI.

UPDATE: 11:54 a.m. IST — Shares of IVRCL group, the infrastructure firm behind the under-construction Kolkata bridge that collapsed Thursday, fell 10.79 per cent Friday and hit Rs 5.70 on the BSE, according to the Economic Times. The company stocks had already fallen 6.4 per cent in the previous session. 

Some reports also suggested officials from IVRCL are likely to be arrested. A Kolkata Police team reached Hyderabad Friday and questioned officials of the company, according to ANI News. 

Meanwhile, the death toll from the flyover collapse increased to 24 Friday, according to the Press Trust of India. 

UPDATE: 9:00 a.m. IST — death toll from the collapse of the under-construction flyover in Kolkata rose to 23 Friday, according to Reuters. Nearly 90 people were rescued, many with injuries, as locals joined rescue workers in removing debris and pulling out bodies. 

March 31, 2016

UPDATE: 7:53 p.m. IST — At least three FIRs have been registered against infrastructure company IVRCL at different police stations, including at Jorasanko Police, ANI reported.

UPDATE: 7:41 p.m. IST — The incident leading to the collapse of Vivekanand Bridge near Girish Park in North Kolkata was an act of God, infrastructure company IVRCL Group Head K Panduranga Rao reportedly said. The company is a partner to the project for the construction of the bridge.

his particular job has been given to us by the Government of West Bengal and we are doing this work. We have already done 60 to 75 percent of work and the remaining is supposed to be completed. That is still in the process.. it is nothing but 'Gods act'," ANI quoted Rao as saying.

"So far in 27 years, we must have constructed a number of bridges and it has never happened. as a company, we are also in shock... two of our engineers are also missing. The bridge is still under construction, just one girder has missed, because of that, it has happened it seems. that is how it looks," he said further.

UPDATE: 5:45 p.m. IST — Ola Cabs said it will run all taxis to and from Girish Park, where an under-construction flyover collapsed Thursday afternoon, for free of cost.

UPDATE: 5:30 p.m. IST — The toll in the flyover collapse in North Kolkata has increased to 15, while 50 people have been injured, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reportedly said.

UPDATE: 4:20 p.m. IST — The Trinamool Congress government has released control room numbers: 1070, 03322143526, 03322535185, 03322145664.

UPDATE: 4:13 p.m. IST — The Kolkata Police have released helpline numbers: 03322143024 and 9432624365.

UPDATE: 3:48 p.m. IST — At least 14 people were killed and 78 others injured when an under-construction bridge near Ganesh Talkies in North Kolkata collapsed Thursday, the Kolkata Police reportedly confirmed.

The incident happened a little after noon, according to the Telegraph India.

West Bengal government has announced compensation of Rs.5 lakh for the families of dead and Rs. 2 lakh for the injured people, ANI reported.

Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) and Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA) were handling the project to construct the flyover that missed four deadline, according to a Telegraph reporter.

UPDATE: 3:26 p.m. IST — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached Girish Park area where an under-construction bridge collapsed. She was out of Kolkata to campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

About 100 metres of the flyover collapsed Thursday, National Disaster Response Force Director General OP Singh said.

The news reports had earlier suggested that at least 10 people were killed in the accident, but there has been no official confirmation about the same. Several others have also been reported to be trapped under the debris.

The army has deployed four columns of rescue personnel at the site. Three medical teams, two ambulances along with surgeons and nursing assistants are also at the site, ANI reported. A team of the Indian Army's engineers has also been sent to the spot with specialist equipment.

The state government has opened helpline number 1070 for assistance, Trinamool Congress' official Twitter account said in a tweet.

UPDATE: 3:04 p.m. IST — The Indian Army has also been called to assist in the rescue operation at the site as several people are feared trapped under the debris.

Original Story: 

At least 10 people reportedly died after an under-construction bridge collapsed in a busy area in North Kolkata's Girish Park area Thursday. Rescue operation is underway as several others are feared trapped under the debris.

Asian News International quoted eyewitnesses as saying that as many as 150 people were still trapped under the collapsed flyover.

"We heard a noise and got scared. Yesterday it was welded.The bridge collapsed. I think at least 150 people are under the debris," an eyewitness, Ramesh Kejriwal, told ANI.

"It was a powerful collapse. Sent shivers down my spine," another eyewitness said.

The Kolkata Police and ambulance were rushed to the spot. At least two units of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were also sent to the site of the accident, according to ANI.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was not in Kolkata at the time of the incident, immediately decided to return to the state capital, said Derek O'Brien, chief national spokesman for Trinamool Congress.

"Monumental tragedy. Rescue ops on. Many feared dead. Chief Sec/Home Sec at site. CM headed back to Kol immediately.This is the update I have," he tweeted.

Construction of the building started in 2009, but could not be completed as the developer missed the deadline on several occasions, Reuters reported.