18 killed as under-construction railway bridge collapses in Mizoram
The bridge over the Kurung River connects Bairabi with Sairang and is roughly 21 km away from capital Aizawl.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), which is implementing the 51.38 km railway project, has rushed medical and engineering teams to provide medical assistance and to help in the recovery process.
NFR general manager (construction) Sunil Kumar Jha, along with senior officials, have rushed to Mizoram from the NFR headquarters in Maligaon (Guwahati). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, chief ministers of the northeastern states and top leaders have expressed their anguish over the mishap.
The PM, who is now in Johannesburg for the BRICS Summit, announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of those deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
The railway minister announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh to the kin of the deceased; ₹2 lakh for those who have been grievously injured and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries.
Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, posted on X: «Under construction railway overbridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today; at least 17 workers died: Rescue under progress.
Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations.»
The piers of the under construction bridge, which collapsed, is 104 metre. Sairang railway station is last station before reaching Aizawl.
