VARANASI: At least 18 people lost their lives and several are feared trapped after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed near a railway station in Varanasi on Tuesday.
18 bodies have been recovered and three have been safely rescued from the debris of collapsed flyover in Varanasi. The death is toll expected to rise. Around 7 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams of over 325 personnel have been deployed for relief operations at the site of Varanasi under-construction flyover collapse incident.
Reportedly, the Varanasi District Magistrate office may take assistance from the Indian Army to carry further the rescue operation, reported Firstpost. Meanwhile, former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav asked his party members to reach the accident site and help the people out there.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced compensation of Rs 500,000 for kin of those killed in the incident, Rs 200,000 for those who have been injured. CM Adityanath has also set up a three-member committee to probe flyover collapse.

The district administration rushed to the spot for rescue operation and more than a dozen cranes have been pressed into service. The reason for the collapse has not been ascertained yet. Many of those trapped are reported to be labourers who were working on the flyover.
The flyover that fell over have not been moved yet and people are still trapped under the broken portion of the flyover bridge. There are around 12 cranes at the spot but only 8 have been pressed into service. The injured people in the accident have been taken to Cancer hospital but the hospital is not equipped to handle such trauma cases.
Meanwhile, boys from the Banaras Hindu University have reached the spot to help people. The critically injured are being taken to the BHU trauma centre for emergency treatment.
The flyover was being constructed by Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation. According to DM Yogeshwar Ram Mishra, five teams of NDRF have been deployed for the rescue operation. One city bus, five cars, two auto rickshaws and several motorcycles are trapped under the debris. JP Nadda, Union Health & Family Welfare minister has directed Health Secretary to be in touch with health officials of Uttar Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express grief over the unfortunate incident in Varanasi. PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected.”
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM and PWD Minister Keshav Maurya, who was directed by Mr. Adityanath to rush to Varanasi, said, “whoever is guilty will not be spared.”  Mr. Adityanath, while expressing  grief over the incident, announce an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the dead and Rs 2 lakh each to the injured. The total length of the bridge is 2261 metres and total cost Rs 129 crores..

The extension work of the bridge started in October 2015. As per sources, the project was to be completed by June end and so far 45 out of 63 pillars had been constructed as part of the extension.
(With Agency Inputs ).