At least 16 dead after under-construction flyover collapses in Varanasi

Varanasi: At least 16 people have died after portion of an under construction flyover collapsed near Cantt railway station in Varanasi on Tuesday.

Several people were feared trapped under the debris, police said.

"16 bodies recovered, 3 people have been safely rescued," Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said.

Several vehicles with people inside them are also reportedly trapped. Pictures and videos from the accident site shows passengers being pulled out from a car trapped under the collapsed portion of the flyover.

The injured have been rushed to nearby hospital.

Seven National Disaster Response Force teams of around 325 men have been deployed for relief operations and the death toll is expected to rise.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief and directed administration to speed up rescue operation.

Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya and Minister Neelkanth Tiwari have been directed by the Chief Minister to visit the spot.

"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," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his tweet.

"I spoke to UP CM Yogi Adityanath Ji regarding the situation due to the collapse of an under-construction flyover in Varanasi. The UP Government is monitoring the situation very closely and is working on the ground to assist the affected," the Prime Minister added.

"I was at a distance of 50 metres from the flyover when the flyover collapsed, trapping people under it. 4 cars, an auto-rickshaw and a minibus were crushed. The help came after an hour," news agency ANI reported eye-witnesses saying.