18 Dead in Varanasi Bridge Collapse: Modi Announces Compensation

At least 18 people were killed and scores more trapped under debris, after a portion of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi's cantonment area collapsed on Tuesday, 15 May.

PM Modi announced an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each person killed in the Varanasi flyover collapse. He also announced Rs 50,000 each to those seriously injured in the incident, an official statement said.

UP CM Adityanath formed a committee to look into the matter and has asked authorities to submit a report within 48 hours. He also met the victims receiving treatment at Banaras Hindu University Trauma Centre and Kabir Chaura Hospital.

• An FIR was filed against the concerned officials under relevant sections of the IPC
• PM Modi also announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh, from the Centre, to the kin of each person killed in the flyover collapse
• Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased
  
• Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya visits the site of the mishap, says culprits won't be spared

Bridge Corporation MD Replaced

UP State Bridge Corporation Managing Director (MD) Rajan Mittal was relieved from his post in the wake of the flyover collapse, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya told ANI. JK Srivastava has been appointed as the new MD.

PM Modi Announces Compensation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia relief, from PM Relief Fund, of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 each to those who were seriously injured in the flyover collapse, reported ANI.

Samajwadi Party Demands High-Level Investigation

Samajwadi Party (SP) workers protested at the site of the flyover collapse, demanding a high-level investigation into the matter, reported ANI.

AAP's Sanjay Singh to Visit Varanasi

AAP MP Sanjay Singh will visit Varanasi on Thursday, 17 May to meet the victims of the flyover collapse.

FIR Lodged against Officials

An FIR has been registered against the concerned officials and contractors under sections 304, 308 and 427 of the IPC, reported ANI.

UP State Bridge Corporation Ignored Safety Measures: Reports

The UP State Bridge Corporation carried out construction work of the flyover without taking safety measures and ignoring heavy traffic in the area, reported CNN-News18. Local officials, planners and contractors have been blamed for the mishap according to the FIR accessed by CNN-News18.

Forensics Team's Investigations Underway

A forensics team conducted investigation at the spot of the flyover accident, ANI reported.

Recent Thunderstorm Likely The Reason Behind Collapse: Bridge Corporation MD

The recent thunderstorm in the region could be one of the reasons for the collapse of the under-construction flyover, R Mittal, MD, Bridge Corporation told ANI.

"We think the lock of the bearing underneath the beam broke due to recent thunderstorms in the region that led to accident. Traffic should've been diverted away from construction site.We should learn from this incident,” said Mittal.

He further said that all such accident-prone construction sites will be identified by five to six teams and steps will be taken to divert traffic away from such locations.

Police Arrest Sweeper who Asked for Bribe

The police arrested a man for allegedly demanding bribes from the families of two victims to hand over their bodies.

Raj Babbar Meets Victims

UP Congress chief Raj Babbar met the victims of Varanasi flyover collapse. "I have been informed that in order to complete the flyover before elections, 3 Vinayak Temples were demolished. People here believe that the incident is a consequence of the curse of demolishing temples," he said.

Workers at Postmortem Centre Ask for Bribe

Workers at the postmortem centre in Benaras Hindu University are allegedly asking the families of victims for a bribe to get the autopsy done, The Quint has learnt. One of the workers reportedly left a dead body on the floor when the victim's family refused to pay him any money. The district Magistrate acted swiftly, and the concerned worker was suspended. A case has been registered against him.

Can't Comment Before Proper Investigation: Varanasi District Magistrate

Damaged Vehicles Removed from Spot

Damaged vehicles have been removed from the spot where the under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi.

15 Dead, 11 Critically Injured in Collapse: CM Yogi Adityanath

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, 15 May, Adityanath said the death toll was 15 according to reports he had received from the administration and the NDRF. Eleven more are critically injured and have been admitted to various hospitals, where they are being treated, he added.

Adityanath also said that he has asked Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and minister Neelkanth Tiwari to personally monitor the relief work.

Yogi Visit Victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met victims of the flyover collapse being treated at the Banaras Hindu University Trauma Centre and Kabir Chaura Hospital on Tuesday, 15 May.

Victims Being Treated at Kabir Chaura Hospital

Officers Suspended

Chief project manager HC Tiwari, project manager KR Sudan, assistant engineer Rajesh Singh and engineer Lal Chand have been held responsible for the flyover collapse, and have been suspended with immediate effect, Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya told ANI.

3-Member Committee Formed to Probe Incident

Seven teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued rescue and relief operations after the under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi on Tuesday, 15 May. A three-member high-level committee has also been set up to investigate the incident.

Yogi en Route to Meet Victims

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on his way to meet the victims of the under-construction flyover collapse, reported ANI.

Reason For Collapse Uncertain: Project Manager

KR Sudan, project manager of the under-construction flyover in Varanasi, told ANI that the reason behind the incident can be ascertained only after the investigation is complete.

“I cannot tell the reason for this incident till the investigation is done. Cranes are still coming, rescue operations are still underway,” said Sudan.

Seven NDRF Teams Deployed to the Spot

Seven NDRF teams have been deployed for the rescue operations at the collapse site, Arvind Kumar, Principal Secretary (Home), told ANI. Six others are injured and currently under treatment. All trapped vehicles have been taken out, Kumar said.

Culprits Will Not Be Spared: Keshav Prasad Maurya

UP Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya visited the collapse site and assured that the ones responsible for the mishap will be dealt with strictly.

“This is a very unfortunate incident and I'm deeply saddened by it. I'm going to meet the injured in the hospital. Culprits will not be spared. Will setup a committee to look into the matter,” ANI quoted Maurya as saying.

Probe Is in Preliminary Stage: ADG

Chandra Prakash, ADG crime, UP, while addressing the media said that all necessary steps were being taken for speedy relief and rescue operations and that the probe in the matter is still at a preliminary stage.

ADG Crime UP, Shri Chandra Prakash addressing media on recent Varanasi disaster due to collapse of under-construction flyover. #varanasi #uppolice pic.twitter.com/lNLpyiDemY

Amit Shah Expresses Condolences

BJP chief Amit Shah expressed grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

Pained to know about the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. My deepest condolences with the bereaved families, may the injured recover soon. Have spoken to the local BJP unit to join the rescue operation and assist the people in need.

Death Toll Rises to 16

Sixteen bodies were recovered from the rubble of the collapsed flyover, Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told ANI. Three other people have been safely rescued.

Dinesh Sharma Expresses Grief

UP Deputy CM Dinesh Sharma expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

वाराणसी में निर्माणाधीन फ्लाईओवर के हादसे का समाचार अत्यंत दुखदायी है, दुर्घटना में हताहत हुए लोगों की आत्मा की शांति और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की ईश्वर से प्रार्थना करता हूँ। #Varanasi

PM Condoles Deceased While Celebrating Karnataka "Victory"

PM Modi, while addressing a rally over Karnataka election mandate in Delhi, said that he is saddened by the loss of lives in Varanasi.

“I am happy about Karnataka's victory but on the other hand, I am saddened by the loss of lives in Varanasi,” said Modi.

JP Nadda Expresses Condolences

Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, took to Twitter to express grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

Deeply saddened to hear of the unfortunate collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and I pray for speedy recovery of injured.

CM Yogi Announces Compensation, Forms Committee To Probe

CM Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh to the injured, reported ANI. He has also formed a committee to look into the matter and has demanded for a report within 48 hours.

NDRF Dispatches Five Teams for Rescue Operations

The NDRF has dispatched five teams to the spot for speedy rescue operations of the several people trapped under the rubble of the collapsed flyover.

5 teams of NDRF deployed for rescue operation , at Varanasi,UP where under construction Fly over collapsed.

President, Vice President Expresses Condolences

President Ram Nath Kovind and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu took to Twitter tp expres condolences to the families of the deceased.

Shocked to learn about the tragedy at flyover construction site in Varanasi. Condolences to the bereaved families. Administration is making all efforts to rescue and help those affected #PresidentKovind

Saddened by loss of lives in a flyover collapse in Varanasi. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured. #Varanasi @UPGovt pic.twitter.com/SZ6oaIbGmX

Help Came After an Hour, Say Witnesses

While speaking to ANI, witnesses described the horrific incident and said that the rescue operations began nearly an hour after the collapse.

“I was at a distance of 50 m from the flyover when it collapsed, trapping people under it. Four four-wheelers, an auto-rickshaw and a minibus were crushed by it. The help came after an hour,” said an eye-witness.

PM Modi, Expresses Grief, Discusses Rescue Ops with CM Yogi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of life due to the flyover collapse in his home constituency. He also spoke to CM Yogi Adityanath and discussed the rescue operations.

Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. I pray that the injured recover soon. Spoke to officials and asked them to ensure all possible support to those affected.

I spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The UP Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected.

CM Orders Speedy Rescue Operations

Chief Minsiter Yogi Adityanath has ordered speedy rescue operations at the spot, UP minister Sidharth Nath Singh said while addressing the media. UP minister Neelkanth Tiwari will also reach the spot soon, said Singh, as quoted by ANI.

Yogi Adityanath Promises All Possible Help

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the flyover collapse and has promised all possible help. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya is reportedly reaching the spot.

#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने वाराणसी में निर्माणाधीन पुल गिरने की घटना पर दुख जताया है और उन्होंने जिला प्रशासन को तेजी से बचाव कार्य करते हुए लोगों की हर संभव मदद करने के निर्देश दिए हैं। उप मुख्यमंत्री श्री @kpmaurya1 कुछ ही देर में वाराणसी पहुंचेंगे।

NDRF Reaches the Spot

Rescue operations are underway and the NDRF team has reached the spot for all the necessary assistance, tweeted Varanasi police.

12 People Dead, Several Trapped

More than 12 people are dead, with several feared trapped after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi's Cantt area, reported ANI.

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