Kolkata bridge collapse kills 1

A bridge collapsed yesterday in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata, killing one and injuring 19, authorities said, as rescue workers sifted through the debris checking for other casualties.

Cars were seen among the rubble and a large portion of the bridge was destroyed.

Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal state, confirmed that one person was killed, adding, "19 people have received injuries. All of them are stable."

The army has sent its personnel for rescue work.

Firefighters and rescue workers search for victims at the site of a bridge that collapsed in Kolkata in India on September 4, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolence through Twitter.

The 40-year-old bridge stood over some rail tracks in Alipour -- one of the very old areas of the city. The area is surrounded by half-constructed buildings, scaffolding and pillars.

Eyewitnesses said around 4.45 pm, a huge segment of the bridge came crashing down. Pictures from the area showed the collapsed section resting on the road, at least nine vehicles, including a mini bus, and several two-wheelers still on it.

There were no more immediate details of the cause of the collapse. In March 2016, another bridge collapsed in the city, killing more than two dozen people.