At least 17 people were killed after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed in Mizoram’s Aizawl district on August 23 morning.
According to officials, the incident took place in the Sairang area, about 20 km from Aizawl in Mizoram.
Sabyasachi De, public relation officer of Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway), said that a team of railway officers has been rushed to the spot and senior officials of zone will also visit the site.
Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga condoled the incident, saying: “Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy.”
He said that the rescue operations are in progress.
Under construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today; atleast 17 workers died: Rescue under progress.
Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the… pic.twitter.com/IbmjtHSPT7
— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) August 23, 2023
“I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations,” CM Zoramthanga said in a post on Twitter.
Ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for deceased
Prime minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister Relief Fund (PMMRF) to the next of kin of the deceased in the railway bridge collapse.
A post on the official handle of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Twitter informed further that Rs 50,000 each will also be provided to the injured in the rail bridge collapse, which left 17 people dead.
“Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” read the post on the PMO’s official X handle.
