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                At Least 14 Dead After Bridge Collapses in India

   by VOA News

   A bridge under construction collapsed in the eastern Indian city of
   Kolkata Thursday, killing at least 14 people and injuring dozens more.

   Search and rescue operations are underway to reach people believed to
   be trapped under the concrete slabs. Teams from India's National
   Disaster Response Force (NRDF) and military personnel were brought in
   to aid in the rescue effort. Prior to their arrival, residents and
   firefighters had been trying to free those trapped with their bare
   hands.

   "As soon as we learnt about the bridge collapsing, we immediately
   contacted the state administration and spoke to the state relief
   commissioner. Immediately we dispatched two rescue teams to the spot.
   Fortunately both the teams were in the Rajarhat locality of Kolkata and
   they reached the accident spot and started their operations," NRDF
   Director General O.P. Singh said.

   Witnesses said a number people and vehicles, including two buses
   carrying more than 100 passengers and several taxis were under the
   bridge when it came down. Construction workers, who were on a tight
   schedule to complete the bridge, set up camps near the site where they
   would sleep and cook.

   "There was a loud sound which scared us. The concrete had been laid
   last night at this part of the bridge. I am lucky as I was planning to
   go downstairs to have juice and while I was thinking only I saw that
   the bridge collapsed. Scores of people have been killed," said Kolkata
   resident Ramesh Kerjiwal.

   The location of the bridge collapse in a busy commercial district has
   slowed down the rescue operation, as access for cranes and emergency
   vehicles is restricted on both sides by buildings and streets are
   clogged with heavy traffic.

   Singh said more teams were being mobilized to the scene and rescuing
   those trapped was the NRDF's top priority.

   "Our biggest challenge is rescuing the huge number of people who are
   trapped under the debris. Because there is a lot of concrete so we are
   using cutters of all sorts to making holes in the debris so that we can
   make an entry. Only once we gain entry will the situation of the people
   trapped will become clear," he said.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/at-least-10-dead-after-bridge-collapses-in-india/3262575.html