At least 14 people have been killed, over 70 injured and 150 feared
trapped after a portion of a flyover under construction collapsed over
taxis and other vehicles in the Indian
city of Kolkata on Thursday, March 31, according to police.
Witnesses say rescuers are using their bare hands to try
to save those caught under the rubble. Television footage shows people
passing water bottles through to those who are crying out for help from
beneath the debris.
One witness has told the New Delhi Television news channel
(NDTV): "We heard a loud rumble and then saw a lot of dust in the sky."
Another added: "The area was very, very crowded. Motorised rickshaws, taxis ... there was a lot of traffic.
Heavy duty cranes have apparently been brought in to move the wreckage, but attempts have so far been unsuccessful.
Senior police officer Akhilesh Chaturvedi said 15 critically injured people had been rescued.
"Most were bleeding profusely. The problem is that nobody is able to drive an ambulance to the spot," he added.
Some witnesses have been critical of the initial response,
with one saying there appears to be very little co-ordination on the
ground.Army officers and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been called in to help.
An NDRF official said: "Our team is on their way to the site with all
required equipment, we are also pressing into service canines which will
help find trapped people"
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