Varanasi: 18 dead and dozens injured as under-construction flyover collapses 

At least 18 persons were killed when a section of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official said on Tuesday.

Two dozen persons were injured in the tragedy near the Cantonment railway station here. The flyover was being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation.

Many cars were buried under the collapsed structure, district officials said, adding that the death toll could go up once the debris was cleared.

Three persons were pulled alive out of the crashed structure. Two persons admitted at a medical facility were said to be in a critical condition, said an official spokesman. Some of them were out of danger, while the critically-injured were moved to BHU

Most of the trapped persons are reportedly labourers, who were working at the site. “The exact number of casualties is yet to be ascertained,” said the Uttar Pradesh’s Deputy CM Dr Dinesh Sharma. A team from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been rushed to the spot to assist with the rescue operations.

A crane belonging to the National Highways Authority of India pulled out all vehicles that were crushed under the collapsed flyover portion.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reached Varanasi to meet the families and victims of the under-construction flyover collapse incident at Kabir Chaura Hospital.

Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that seven NDRF teams comprising 325 rescuers have been deployed at the spot to carry out rescue.

"Sixteen bodies have been recovered so far. Three persons have been pulled out alive from under the debris," he told IANS earlier, adding that three-four people could still be trapped.

The Uttar Pradesh government constituted a three-member committee of Agriculture Production Commissioner Raj Pratap Singh, Irrigation Department Chief Engineer Bhupendra Sharma and Jal Nigam Managing Director Rajesh Mittal to probe the collapse and submit a report within 48 hours.

“I can't say anything at this moment. Until we complete the investigation, talk to everyone and check all the records, it won't be right to say anything,” said Raj Pratap Singh, member of the committee constituted by UP government to probe Varanasi under-construction flyover collapse incident.

Varanasi District Magistrate Yogeshwar Ram Mishra said their prime focus for now was on rescue and relief.

Work on the flyover between Chauka Ghat bus stand and Lahartara had been initiated during the Samajwadi Party rule.

The Chief Minister mourned the loss of lives and directed officials to ensure prompt rescue and relief, a state government spokesman said.

A compensation of Rs 5 lakh each has been announced for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh for critically injured.

This story was updated at 8.55 am to reflect the ground situation