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Friday, 1 April 2016

India Kolkata flyover collapse: Hope fading for survivors

Hopes of finding more survivors trapped under a collapsed flyover are fading in the Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta). Rescuers have worked through the night in the Girish Park area, where the bypass was under construction when it collapsed suddenly on Thursday afternoon. 
Scene of flyover collapse
Volunteers initially used bare hands to try to reach people trapped under the rubble
At least 24 people were killed and scores injured. The 2km-long (1.2 mile) flyover started construction in 2009 and missed several deadlines for completion.

Bent steel girders of the Kolkata fly over
'The two great arms of steel that would have held the concrete roadway are slumped as if in hopeless resignation'
Police have opened a case of culpable homicide against the company in charge of the construction, IVRCL. Reports say five of the firm's officials have been detained for questioning and its headquarters in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad have been sealed off.


The company said it would co-operate with investigators. However one of its senior officials said in a news conference that the collapse had been "an act of god" as the company had a good safety record.

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