Page 585 - Disaster Accident
Bridge collapses in Italy during heavy storm, crushing cars
A bridge over an industrial area in the Italian city of Genova partially collapsed during a sudden and violent storm today, leaving vehicles crushed in the rubble below. Italian media reported that there were deaths, but Maria Luisa Catalano, a police official in Genoa, said that authorities were still involved in rescue efforts and did not yet know the number of victims or injured. The disaster occurred on a highway that connects Italy to France and other vacation resorts on the eve of a major Italian holiday tomorrow, Ferragosto, and traffic would have been heavier than usual as many Italians traveled to beaches or mountains. The transport minister, Danilo Toninelli, called the collapse "an enormous tragedy." The private broadcaster Sky TG24 said that a 200-metre section of the Morandi Bridge collapsed over an industrial zone. Firefighters told The Associated Press that there are concerns about gas lines. Photos published by the ANSA news agency on its website showed a huge gulf ...
TVS Motor contributes Rs one crore flood relief to Kerala govt
Two and three-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company today said it has handed over Rs one crore to the Kerala government to aid rescue and rehabilitation of those affected by the rains and floods in that state. Swaran Singh, CEO of Srinivasan Services Trust, social service arm of the company, handed over the cheque to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Thiruvananthapuram recently, the city-based firm said in a statement here. Srinivasan Services Trust has been actively involved in providing relief to victims of natural calamities. The unprecedented rain fury in Kerala, since August 8, has so far claimed 39 lives.
Motorway viaduct collapses in Genoa
A section of a viaduct on the A10 motorway collapsed today in Genoa, Italian firefighters said, with cars and trucks trapped among the rubble. Television images showed the viaduct in the mist with a huge chunk missing, with Italian media reporting that 200 metres of the "Morandi" bridge had fallen away. The Italian fire service said that the viaduct, located in an industrial area in the west of the city, collapsed at around 1200 (1000 GMT). A fire service spokesperson told AFP that the bridge had mostly fallen on rail tracks 100 metres below and that "cars and trucks" had fallen with the rubble. No casualties have yet been reported. Genoa is located between the sea and the mountains of northwestern Italy. Its rugged terrain means that motorways that run through the city and the surrounding area are characterised by long viaducts and tunnels.
Railways formalises its agreement with Japan in rail safety
Railways today formalised an agreement with Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for cooperation in improving railway safety in India, a statement from the ministry said. The programme will help in upgradation of technical skills of Indian Railways front line maintenance staff. The Record of Discussion (ROD) for the project on capacity development on rail safety was signed between Ministry of Railways and Japan International Cooperation Agency today. "The ROD sets out the activities to be undertaken under the programme with a clear focus on maintenance of track (welding, rail inspection, track circuit and others) and rolling stock," the statement said. Under the agreement, Northern Railway and Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) shall be the beneficiaries of the cooperation programme. The Japanese team would work closely with DFCCIL and Northern Railway's safety, civil engineering and rolling stock teams. Thereafter, 60 ...
Narrow escape for passengers as Kuwait Airways flight lands 'off centre' in Kochi
A Kuwait Airways flight carrying 161 passengers landed off the centre from the runway at the international airport here as sudden downpour caused visibility problems early today, airport sources said. All passengers alighted safely, they said. The aircraft landed at 4.20 am, but a little off the centre of the runway, making contact with the lights at its edge before taxiing to the parking bay. Flight operations were disrupted for a brief time and resumed minutes after after "cleaning and correcting" the runway lights, an airport spokesperson said. The KU357 flight later left for Kuwait, he said.
Four killed in flash floods in Jammu
Four persons died and three others suffered injuries in flash floods following incessant rains in Jammu region, officials said today. Over two dozen houses and scores of vehicles have been damaged by the gushing waters. While two persons died in Udhampur district and two others were injured, one person each died in Jammu and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir since yesterday, they said. One pilgrim was injured in a landslide on the track to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine in Katra belt of Reasi district today. 45-year-old Babu Ram was washed away in a drain and his body was recovered yesterday, officials said adding 22-year-teacher Dimple Devi died as a wall collapsed following floods in Udhampur. Another local identified as Sanjay Kumar slipped in a drain during flash floods in bus stand area in Jammu last night and his body was recovered, they said. 24-year-old Javed was washed away in flash floods in Mani belt of Poonch district yesterday, they said adding his body has been ...
London: Car crashes into barriers outside Houses of Parliaments; perp arrested
A car crashed into the security barricades outside the Houses of Parliament in London on Tuesday, leaving several pedestrians injured.The Metropolitan Police in London stated that the driver of the car was arrested, CNN reported."At this stage, officers do not believe that anybody is in a life-threatening condition," the police tweeted.Two individuals were treated for minor injuries by the London Ambulance Services, while the underground Westminster station in the vicinity was closed, the Transport for London informed."I heard some noise, and someone screamed. I turned around and I saw a silver car driving from the crossing, very fast and close to the railings, maybe even on the pavement," an eyewitness at the scene Ewelina U. Ochab told CNN."The car drove at speed. There was a loud bang from the collusion and a bit of smoke. The driver did not get out. The guards started screaming to people to move away. One elderly man rushed me to hide behind a monument, just in case," she ...
Car crashes outside British Parliament, 2 hurt; man held on suspicion of terror offences
A car today crashed into security barriers outside the UK's Parliament at speed, injuring two persons, Scotland Yard said as its counter-terror unit arrested a man on suspicion of terrorism offences. Police have put up a Terrorism Act cordon, a reaction to incidents of this nature near any high-security hotspots in the city. "At 0737 hrs (1207 IST) today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene," the Metropolitan Police said in a statement. The vehicle crashed into the large steel barriers erected around the Houses of Parliament complex in Westminster in central London. The car was seen wedged into flap-style barriers that allows vehicles access to the House of Lords, giving the impression that the driver may have been trying to gain access to the Parliament building. Armed officers from Scotland Yard were at the scene instantly and one man, in his late 20s, was arrested on suspicion of ...
Firefighter dies in largest California wildfire
A firefighter died while fighting to contain the largest wildfire in California's history, authorities said.
Rains: Kerala govt puts off Onam celebrations
Reeling under the unprecedented havoc caused by heavy rains, the Kerala government today decided do away with the 'Onam' celebrations this year and instead utilise the amount for relief operations. Thirtynine persons have so far lost their lives in landslides and floods caused due to the heavy rains, which has destroyed 20,000 houses and damaged 10,000 km of roads in the state since August 8. The government has resolved not to organise programmes held every year as part of the onam festivities, Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, told reporters here. The amount set apart for the celebrations would be used for relief work in the state, he added. The government organises events across district headquarters and in the state capital during the week-long 'Onam' celebrations. 'Onam' (harvest festival) falls on August 25 this year. City streets are illuminated, handicrafts fairs, folk arts and various programmes are organised during the celebrations which concludes with a grand ..
Another accident victim dies in JK's Poonch; death toll now 4
One of eight persons, critically injured in an accident in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, has succumbed to injuries, raising the death toll in the incident to four, officials said today. Three people, including a woman, were killed and eight others injured when a cab skidded off a road and plunged into a 250 feet deep gorge near Gursai Parnav late last evening. Four of the critically injured people were referred to the Government Medical College hospital, Jammu, for specialised treatment. One of them succumbed on the way to the hospital, they said. He identified the deceased as Koshal Kanta, Nissar Shah, Khursheed Ahmad and Liaqat Ali. The vehicle was headed for Surankote from Mandhar when its driver lost control while negotiating a blind curve, leading to the accident.
4 killed in 2 separate road accidents in Rajasthan
Four people, including three women, were killed and four others injured in two separate road accidents in Rajasthan's Churu district, police said today. A car coming from Ratangarh to Bikaner overturned when the driver lost control over the vehicle, killing Durgadevi (65) and her daughter Tulsi Devi (25) and injuring three others, said Malkiyat Singh, the SHO of Rajaldesar police station. The bodies were handed over to family members after postmortem. In another incident, two people were killed and one person was injured when an unidentified vehicle hit their motorcycle in Churu district. The deceased were identified as Poonam Nath (29) and Kesraram (28), said Ishwaranand, the SHO of Bidasar police station. The injured person was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Kerala cancels Onam celebrations over floods
In view of the worst devastation in nearly a century suffered by Kerala due to rains and floods, the government on Tuesday cancelled this year's Onam celebrations, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced.
Odisha CM puts state on flood alert
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed all the district collectors to remain prepared for a possible flood situation as the Met Office has predicted heavy rains in the next two days.
5 killed in Pakistan court firing
At least five people were killed and three injured in a firing inside a tribal court in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa district on Tuesday.
Akshay turns traffic cop to promote road safety
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar is known for lending support to social causes, in both real and reel life.Brand ambassador of Government of India's road safety campaign, Akshay is now trying to bring about a behavioural change in people with regard to traffic and road safety. The 50-year-old, along with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, on Tuesday launched a video on road safety awareness.The 'Padman' star said he immediately joined the road safety campaign when he got to know the "shocking facts and figures related to road accidents which can be prevented."Akshay took to social media to share three videos in which he dons the role of a traffic cop. In the clips, he can be seen urging people to follow traffic rules.On the work front, Akshay is currently gearing up for the release of his much-anticipated film 'Gold'. The sports drama takes the audience back in time to witness a team's struggle to make India proud. The upcoming flick will release this Independence Day, which also marks the ...
Incessant rains cause landslides in Karnataka
Torrential rains up to 30 cm lashed Karnataka's coastal and south interior districts, causing landslides and disrupting normal life, officials said on Tuesday.
4 die in bike accidents in UP
Four people have died in two separate bike accidents in Uttar Pradesh's Kaushambi and Ballia districts, police said today. In Kaushambi, around 180 km south of Lucknow, two youths were crushed to death under the wheels of a truck, after their motorcycle collided with a cycle and fell to the ground on National Highway 2 late last night, a police officer said. Nanka (23) and Kamlesh (21) died on the spot, the officer said, adding that the truck driver had been arrested. In eastern UP's Ballia district, two persons were killed when a motorcycle collided with a truck last evening, police said. The accident happened near Daya Chhapra village in Bairia area. The deceased have been identified as Awadhesh Paswan (45) and Manish Paswan (25), an officer said, adding that the truck driver was absconding. The bodies have been sent post-mortem examination, police said.
Rains batter North Kerala, 30,000 people in relief camps
Heavy rains pounded various parts of Kerala, especially the northern regions this morning, compounding the miseries of the people of the state where thousands are lodged in relief camps. In view of the situation, educational institutions in most places have declared a holiday today. Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod and Palakkad are being lashed by heavy rains, disaster control room sources said. In most of these places landslides had been reported yesterday. Over 20,000 houses have been damaged completely, 10,000 km of roads destroyed and 30,000 people are in relief camps across the state in the heavy rains which have been lashing the state since August 8, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters here. The government also decided to do away with annual 'Onam' celebrations being organised by the state and to utilise the amount for relief measures, he said. Weather men have forecast thunderstorm and gusty winds in the region today. Several areas of the worst-hit ..
Car crashes into barriers near UK Parliament, pedestrians injured
A number of pedestrians were injured when a car crashed into the security barriers outside the UK's Parliament building today, Scotland Yard said as armed police quickly arrested the male driver. The Metropolitan Police has not confirmed the nature of the attack and whether it had any terrorist connection. The incident happened at 07:37 am (local time), prompting a major police response. Armed officers from Scotland Yard were at the scene instantly and one man has been arrested. "At 0737 hrs today, a car was in collision with barriers outside the Houses of Parliament. The male driver of the car was detained by officers at the scene, the Met Police said in a statement. A number of pedestrians have been injured. Officers remain at the scene, it said. The area around Parliament Square has been cordoned off as investigations continue. A car was seen crashed into the large steel barriers that are erected around the Houses of Parliament complex in Westminster. Witnesses said they saw the ...