At least one person died and eleven others were injured after a portion of an under-construction railway flyover collapsed in Bomikhal in Odisha’s Bhubaneswar on Sunday, PTI reported. The Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force, police and fire fighters are carrying out rescue operations at the site. Three to four people are feared trapped, officials said.
Around 15 labourers were working on the flyover when it collapsed on them. Revenue Divisional Commissioner AB Otta identified the deceased as Satya Patnaik, a 35-year-old businessman.
Patnaik and his daughter were walking under the flyover when it collapsed. His daughter is critical, and has been admitted to the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences in Bhubaneshwar, Otta said. The other injured have been admitted to the Capital Hospital.
Public Works Department Secretary NK Pradhan said he has ordered an investigation into the collapse and vowed strict action against those found guilty. “It is certainly a major mistake on the part of the contractor.”
Pradhan said that rescuing those trapped in the debris was the state government’s first priority.
Deputy Executive Engineer Bansidhar Praharaj and Assistant Engineer Kishore Rout have been suspended. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s government has announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation for Patnaik’s family, and free treatment for all the injured people.
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