At least 17 dead and many trapped after railway bridge collapses while under construction in India

AT least seventeen people have died after a railway bridge under construction collapsed in India.

Dozens are feared dead while many are trapped after the horror accident that happened in Sairang near the capital in the northeastern Mizoram state.

Officials said rescue efforts are underway as it estimated about 35-40 construction workers were at the site when the bridge collapsed.

Video footage posted by Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga showed a metal frame that had toppled off towering columns into a wooded valley below.

He posted: “Under construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today; at least 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 injured. “

The Indian Express newspaper quoted a policeman as saying that 17 bodies had been recovered and “many others” were missing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “pained” by the accident and offered his “condolences to those who have lost their loved ones”, his office said in a statement.

The government will pay some $2,400 to the next of kin of those killed, it said.

Officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the collapse.

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