At least 16 killed as under-construction flyover collapses in Varanasi

A portion of an under construction flyover, near the railway station here, collapsed today killing at least 16 persons while more were feared trapped under the debris, officials said.

Sixteen bodies have been recovered from the Varanasi flyover collapse site, an NDRF spokesperson said.

The incident occurred post-noon, officials said adding rescue teams were rushed to the spot.

"It is feared that several people are buried under the rubble," an official said.

Some vehicles were also crushed in the incident, they added.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident while Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya is reaching there, an official spokesperson said in Lucknow.

Adityanath also set up a three-member committee to probe the flyover collapse, an official said.

The chief minister directed the district administration and PWD officials to take all necessary steps for relief and rescue operations.

Local administration was providing emergency services with medical and other teams carrying out rescue work, officials said.

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths in the flyover collapse.

Modi said the Uttar Pradesh government was monitoring the situation. Varanasi is the parliamentary constituency of the prime minister.

"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," he tweeted.

In another tweet, he said he had spoken with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. "The UP Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected."