Mizoram: Under construction Railway bridge collapses, at lea

In a tragic incident that unfolded in the Sairang area, situated approximately 20 km away from Aizawl in Mizoram, an under-construction railway bridge collapsed, resulting in the loss of at least 17 lives. The mishap occurred around 10 am, with reports indicating that a significant number of workers were present at the site during the collapse. Authorities fear that additional individuals might still be trapped beneath the debris.

Rescue Efforts Underway as Workers Feared Trapped

Local authorities and rescue teams immediately sprang into action as news of the railway bridge collapse spread. Preliminary reports suggest that around 35 to 40 workers were on-site when the incident transpired, and there are concerns about more individuals potentially being trapped. The police have stated that they have so far retrieved 17 bodies from the wreckage, but several others remain unaccounted for.

Mizoram CM and PM Modi Express Grief and Support

Mizoram's Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and conveyed his hopes for the swift recovery of those injured in the tragedy. On a social media platform, he conveyed his distress, saying, "Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations."

Prime Minister Modi also shared his condolences for the lives lost and announced a measure of support for the affected families. He expressed his pain over the incident and pledged his assistance to those in need. "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 next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured," read a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.

Rapid Response and Ongoing Investigation

Sabyasachi De, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NF Railways, reported that railway officials have promptly arrived at the site of the incident. Moreover, senior officials from the Northeast Frontier Railway are scheduled to visit the location to assess the situation and contribute to ongoing investigations.

This devastating event serves as a sombre reminder of the importance of safety in construction projects and the need for robust infrastructure standards to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.