Aizawl: A railway bridge being built in India collapsed on Wednesday killing at least 26 workers and injuring two, police said, as the state-run railway authority opened an investigation.
The accident happened in Sairang town in the northeastern state of Mizoram, its chief minister, Zoramthanga, said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Media reported that up to 40 workers were at the site when the bridge collapsed but police said 28 workers were present.
Video footage posted by Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga showed a metal frame that had toppled off towering columns into a wooded valley below.
"Under construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today; at least 17 workers died," Zoramthanga, who uses only one name, said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
People had "come out in large numbers to help with rescue", Zoramthanga said, adding he was "deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy".
"Rescue workers have been able to recover 13 bodies so far.
Efforts are on to recover the remaining bodies," said a state police official who declined to be identified.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) said in a statement on the messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that the mishap occurred during work on the Bhairbi-Sairang New Line Railway Project.
The NRF said on its website the project will connect Mizoram to the rest of the country, boosting "tourism and socio-economic development".
A "high level enquiry committee" had been set up to investigate, the NFR said.
PM Modi condoles
"Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected," the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.
Modi was "pained" by the accident and offered his "condolences to those who have lost their loved ones", his office said on X.
The government will pay some $2,400 to the next of kin of those killed, it said.
People had "come out in large numbers to help with rescue", Zoramthanga said, adding he was "deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy".
