23 workers killed as railway bridge collapses in Mizoram, 18 bodies found

#WATCH | Mizoram: Search & rescue operation underway in the Sairang area about 20 km from Aizawl where the under-construction railway bridge collapsed. pic.twitter.com/XmkM4hturS

— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023

As of 5:00 pm, Mizoram transport minister T.J. Lalnuntluanga said that while 16 dead bodies had been recovered from the site, another two had been found but had not yet been recovered. At the time, five workers continued to be missing, and three were injured. He added that the work concerned was being carried out through ABCI Infrastructures Private Limited.

“A railway safety team was already at the site during the incident since some construction work was happening. The launching of a steel girder in an under-construction bridge was being done by a contractor and it is this girder which collapsed. The NDRF reached the site within half an hour and now the state team has taken over the rescue operation,” Sabyasachi De, the chief public relations officer of the North East Frontier Railway, said. It was not yet clear what caused the collapse, he added.

According to a Mizoram police official, two NDRF teams and two state disaster teams were carrying out the rescue operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 would be given to the injured. In addition to this, railway ministry officials said that it would provide an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh to those grievously injured and Rs 50,000 for the other injured.

The workers have been identified as being from West Bengal. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announce that she instructed the state’s Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Mizoram administration for recue and assistance operations and that the government would give “due compensation” to kin of the affected families.

“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,” the Prime Minister’s Office stated on X, formerly Twitter.

President Draupadi Murmu also expressed her condolences through the platform.

“Distressed to know that a tragic bridge mishap in Mizoram caused loss of lives. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the President’s handle stated.

The site were the incident took place is part of the Bairabi-Sairang New Line Railway Project underway by the Indian Railways, to bring railway connectivity to the state with 51.38 km of railway track.

Lalnuntluanga said that the reason for the collapse can only be clear after an inquiry. “The state will take necessary steps but we have to collaborate with the railway ministry for an inquiry,” he said, adding that the incident will slow down progress on the project since it will necessitate additional checks “for security purpose”.

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga also expressed his condolences. “Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large number to help with rescue operations,” Zoramthanga stated.