Kolkata: The death toll in yesterday’s flyover collapse tragedy that took place in North Kolkata’s Girish Park area has risen to 24.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had last evening confirmed that 21 had died and 85 others injured in the mishap.
The rescue work has been going on war footing. The military and NDRF teams are using heavy earth movers and gas cutting paraphernalia to complete the operation as soon as possible but several more hours will be needed to clear the debris.
Stating that the clearance of debris will take two-three more days, Banerjee appealed to the local residents to help the police and disaster management team in their pursuit.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. five lakh to next of kin of the victims and Rs. two lakh to gravely injured people.
The bridge collapsed in the afternoon, and by the evening, army teams took over the charge of the rescue works.
The NDRF teams, police, fire brigade and others are also engaged in the rescue work. Top officials of the state and city police administration and Kolkata Mayor coordinated the rescue at the spot.
The administration has opened an Emergency Operations Centre at the state secretariat. The helpline number is 1070. The Kolkata Police Control Room helpline numbers are: 2214-3024, 94326 24365. (ANI)