At least 18 people were killed more than 60 injured after an under-construction flyover collapsed in North Kolkata on Thursday. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the director general of the National Disaster Response Force, and 5 NDRF teams, along with members of the Army were rushed to the site to help with the rescue operations, reported India Today. "There are 268 NDRF personnel at the site, and three more teams are on their way," said Director General OP Singh. A witness told ANI that at least 150 people were suspected trapped.

Chief Minister at the site

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the site, which is near Ganesh Talkies, close to the Girish Park metro station. "Our main focus right now is rescuing those trapped," Banerjee said in a statement. She added, "This is a very serious incident, the law will take its course."

Banerjee said an investigative committee with experts from the Indian Institute of Technology and Jadavpur University will be formed to look into the tragedy. "We will not spare the builders. They are a blacklisted company. We had sought a complete plan of action from them, which we didn't receive," she said. Though the project started in 2008 during the Communist Party of India rule, she said her government takes full responsibility for the mishap as it happened under their watch.

The state government has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh for those seriously injured in the bridge collapse, and Rs 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injures. The government has set up a control room at Nabanna, the temporary secretariat building of the state government in Howrah, and the emergency numbers are 1070, 033-22143526/ 033-22535185/ 033-22145664.

Police kiosk, several vehicles under debris

Rescue workers said five policemen who were in a kiosk under the flyover were trapped under debris, reported NDTV. They were being provided water through a gap in the concrete while they await rescue. Several passenger vehicles, including a bus, were reported stuck under the rubble.

Reactions come in

Infrastructure company IVRCL Limited, which had the contract for the collapsed flyover, said 45% of the construction work was pending. "One girder missed and the second one fell, causing the whole structure to collapse. it is nothing but God's act (sic)," said KP Rao, an official of the company.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Shocked & saddened by collapse of under construction flyover in Kolkata. Took stock of the situation & rescue operations,". Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said all possible help is being provided to the state government in the rescue and relief operations, reported Business Standard. "Two National Disaster Response Force teams are already there and, if necessary, more teams will be sent. Sadly, the number of casualties is substantial and there are many more injured. We have to take care of the injured," he added.

A camera has purportedly captured the moment the flyover collapsed

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Here is where the accident took place