40-year-old Majherhat bridge collapses in southern Kolkata, one dies

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said one person was killed in the tragedy.

However, unconfirmed sources said the number of deaths in the incident could be more than one.

According to reports, a nearly 200 feet block of the busy bridge collapsed at around 4:45 pm. beside the railway tracks.

Following the incident, local police, fire and emergency services officials and Disaster Management Group (DMG) personnel rushed to the scene and rescue operation is currently underway at the spot.

Several vehicles, including a bus, bikes and private cars came down as the bridge collapsed.

A metro railway construction work was underway beside the site where the bridge collapsed.

A local police official said that several injured persons have been rescued and sent to nearby hospitals.   

Traffic between Taratala and Mominpur and rail service in Ballygunge-Budge Budge line have been disrupted due to the accident.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is currently in Darjeeling, has directed her machineries to strengthen rescue efforts.

She said: "We are very worried. We are receiving information from the rescue team on ground. We want to go back as soon as possible. There are no flights in the evening, we are unable to do so."

"Our team is focused on relief and rescue work. Our priority is relief and rescue. Rest of the investigation will be done later," she said.

A source in SSKM hospital said that at least 8 injured persons have been admitted at the state run hospital.Image: Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS

The bridge is considered as one of the busiest in the city and connects areas like Behala and Thakurpurkur with the rest of Kolkata.

Prime Minister expresses sadness:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed his sadness over the tragedy and called the incident as 'unfortunate'.

"The collapse of a part of a bridge in Kolkata is deeply unfortunate. My thoughts are with the families of the victims. I pray that those who are injured recover at the earliest," Modi tweeted.

Politicians react on social media:

TMC leader Derek O Brien tweeted :"Watching scenes of Majerhat bridge #Kolkata collapse . Devastating. Rescue teams, disaster management teams, Police CP,fire fighters already reach spot. Locals join. Rescue operations on.Prayers for those affected. Difficult to gauge enormity of tragedy as yet looking at visuals."

"Cranes already put into action. Fire fighters using ladders already being used. Disaster management teams at work #KolkataBridgeCollapse," he said.

Union Minister Babul Supriyo said: "Extremely disturbing news of the collapsed #MajherhatBridge in #Kolkata. Praying for the victims of the tragedy and speedy recovery of the injured."

Girish Park Bridge collapse horror returns to shock Kolkata:

On Mar 31, the under- construction Vivekananda Flyover collapsed in Kolkata's Girish Park area, killing at least 26 people and leaving many injured.