Officials in India’s eastern Mizoram state said that at least 17 labourers were killed when a railway bridge they were building collapsed on Wednesday, with many others reported missing.
A video shared online by Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga showed a metal frame that had fallen from towering columns into a forested valley below.
Speaking on X, formerly known as Twitter, Zoramthanga announced, “Under construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl, collapsed today; at least 17 workers died.”
A policeman was quoted by the Indian Express newspaper as reporting that 17 bodies had been found and “many others” were still missing. The reports of persons going missing could not be confirmed right away.
“Rescue operations are underway, and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
According to his office’s statement on Twitter, Modi was “pained” by the accident and extended his “condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.”
The office also stated that the government plans to pay about $2,400 to the next of kin of those who lost their lives.
Mizoram is a region located in the far east of India, bordering Myanmar.
Zoramthanga stated that neighbouring residents came out “in large numbers to help with the rescue” operation and further added that he was “deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy.”
