17 crushed to death after under-construction railway bridge collapses in Mizoram

At least 17 workers were killed on Wednesday after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed near Sairang area of Mizoram, police said. Several others are feared trapped at the site, as 35-40 workers were present when the incident occurred around 10 am, about 21 km from Aizawl, they said.

Aizawl (Mizoram): At least 17 workers were crushed to death and several others were missing on Wednesday after an under-construction railway bridge caved in near the Sairang area of Mizoram, the police officials said. Over 40 workers were allegedly working at the spot at the time of the bridge collapse and many others were reportedly trapped under the debris. The incident occurred around 10 am, about 21 km from Aizawl town, the officials said.

Officials rushed to the spot and took up rescue operations. Seventeen bodies have been recovered from the debris till reports last came in. Many others are still missing and efforts were to locate the remaining trapped workers, a police officer said. The railway bridge was being constructed over the Kurung River connecting Bairabi to Sairang.

• Anguished by the tragic accident in Mizoram. I have spoken to the Governor and CM Mizoram and assured all possible assistance. The NDRF and local administration are on-site, conducting rescue operations. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of…

  — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Anguished by the tragic accident in Mizoram. I have spoken to the Governor and CM Mizoram and assured all possible assistance. The NDRF and local administration are on-site, conducting rescue operations. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of…

  — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2023

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  Anguished by the tragic accident in Mizoram. I have spoken to the Governor and CM Mizoram and assured all possible assistance. The NDRF and local administration are on-site, conducting rescue operations. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of…

  — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2023

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga expressed condolences, saying that he was deeply saddened over the mishap. In a tweet, he said the under-construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today and at least 17 workers died while the rescue was under progress. He said that he was deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy.

• Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.
  
  An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the…

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 23, 2023 " class="align-text-top noRightClick twitterSection" data="

  Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.
  
  An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the…

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 23, 2023

  ">

  Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.
  
  An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the…

  — PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 23, 2023

The CM extended his deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. "Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations," he said.