In north-eastern India, a railway bridge under construction collapsed, killing at least 17 people and leaving more missing, according to officials.
The incident happened near the town of Sairang, in the state of Mizoram.
Local media reports state that up to 40 workers were present when a portion of the bridge collapsed.
It is still unclear what caused the bridge to collapse. An investigation into the incident has been launched by the state-run railway authority.
The chief minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, who goes by one name, reported that numerous locals have assisted in the rescue efforts and that 17 bodies have so far been found.
“All possible assistance is being given to those affected,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office in a statement.
It was also stated that the government would give the next of kin of those killed about 200,000 rupees (£1,900; $2,400).
In India, accidents on these kinds of construction sites are fairly common.
The collapse of a pedestrian suspension bridge in Gujarat, India’s westernmost state, resulted in the deaths of more than 140 people in October of last year.
Source-BBC
