Bridge in Kolkata collapses: Five dead, several trapped

Several people are feared dead after a bridge in Kolkata collapsed during rush hour traffic, according to a India Today report.

A portion of the crucial Majerhat bridge on Diamond Harbour Road collapsed Tuesday afternoon.

According to local reports, five people have died and 17 were injured after the bidge collapsed at around 4pm local time when a number of vehicles were passing over it.

Eight people have been rushed to CMRI Hospital and nine have been rushed to SSKM College and Hospital.

They added that five cars and a mini bus are trapped underneath piles of debris from the collpaed section of the bridge.

The 40-year-old Majerhat bridge connects south Kolkata to the suburban areas.

Bangla Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who is in Darjeeling right now will soon return to Kolkata. "We are very worried. We are receiving information from the rescue team on ground. We want to go back as soon as possible," Mamata said.

There are, however, no flights from Darjeeling to Kolkata, she added.

Mamata Banerjee said: "Police is investigating the matter, a detailed investigation will be done but right now our main focus is rescue and relief operations."

This is the latest transport and infrastructure tragedy to hit Kolkata after 26 people were killed when Vivekananda Road flyover collapsed in 2016.

The report from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, a public engineering institution established by India's government in 1951, found faults with the design of the flyover.

It also reported faulty design approval and incorrect project execution by the Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA).

Firhad Hakim, Bangla minister, has said that no casualties have been reported yet but search operations are underway. "All those who were trapped have been rescued. Search operations are underway. Let's wait," Hakim said.

He added that six people have been sent to a hospital for treatment.