At least 15 people are reported to have died and scores injured after an under-construction flyover collapsed in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s constituency.
Local residents said that two pillars of the flyover collapsed in Varanasi’s Cantt area. This resulted in crushing of of cars and a local bus under it. The district officials said that the death toll could go up.
A report by IANS said that rescue operation had been initiated to clear the debris of the flyover, which was being constructed by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in the incident.
Modi tweeted: “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2018
In a separate tweet, Modi wrote, “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.”
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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 15, 2018
A similar tragedy in Kolkata had killed many in 2016 just before the assembly polls. Reacting to the gtragedy, Modi had termed the accident as god’s message to save Bengal from Trinamool. He was widely condemned for his insensitive statement in a bid to derive electoral gains.
Varanasi is a famous city of Uttar Pradesh, where there’s a BJP government.