At least 17 folks have died after a gantry at a railway bridge that was underneath development collapsed in India.

Several extra are feared lifeless and a number of different folks had been injured, police stated.

The collapse occurred in Sairang, a city round 12 miles (20km) from the state capital Aizawl in Mizoram state within the north-eastern a part of the nation.

Those who died are believed to have been engaged on the location. Around 40 staff had been within the space on the time of the collapse.

People dwelling close by rescued injured staff and rushed them to hospital, police stated. Rescuers from the government-run National Disaster Response Force additionally rushed to the scene to seek for survivors.

Rail authorities are investigating the reason for the collapse.

The bridge has been underneath development for 2 years.

"Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected," India's prime minister Narendra Modi stated on messaging platform X, previously referred to as Twitter.

"Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured," the chief minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga stated.

"Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations."

India's transport infrastructure has lengthy been marred by security considerations, generally resulting in main disasters on its highways and bridges.

In October final yr, a century-old cable suspension bridge collapsed right into a river within the western Indian state of Gujarat, sending lots of plunging into the water and killing a minimum of 132 in one of many worst accidents within the nation up to now decade.

Content Source: information.sky.com