At least 18 workers died and “many othersdisappeared after a railway bridge under construction collapsed in a ravine in northeastern India on Wednesday, local authorities said.

“A railway bridge under construction in Sairang, near Aizawl, collapsed todayHead of Mizoram State Administration Mr. Zoramthang (he only introduces himself by his last name) said on his X (ex-Twitter) account.

Many people are missing

The video he uploaded shows the metal structure detaching and causing the pillars to fall into the valley below. People are “came out in large numbers to help with rescue operationssaid Mr. Zoramthang who said to himself,very sad and affected by this tragedy“.

A senior local police officer, Rex Zarzoliana Vanchhawng, told AFP that rescue teams had “found 18 bodies“. A policeman quoted in the newspaper Indian Expressshow that “many others” missing person.

Northeast Border Railway spokesman Sabyasachi De told AFP that “about 30 to 40 workerswas at the location when the bridge collapsed. “Rescue operations are continuingsaid Sabyasachi De.

Also readIndia: a bridge under construction collapses over the Ganges for the second time

investigative committee

“Relief operations are ongoing and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected.“, assures the office of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said to himself,penaltyaccidentally and submit”condolences for those who lost loved ones“, he added to X.

The government will pay about $2,400 to the families of those killed, according to the statement. Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said to himself “sorry about this unfortunate incidentand announced separate compensation for those killed or injured in the crash. A commission has been set up to investigate the cause of the accident.

Frequent accidents

The state of Mizoram is located in the far east of India, on the border with Burma. Accidents at large infrastructure sites are common in India.

In early August, at least twenty workers were killed by a crane falling on a highway under construction on the outskirts of the economic capital Bombay, in the West. The machine fell during the night onto a large concrete slab, throwing up debris that killed workers working at the site.

In October last year, 130 people died in the western state of Gujarat when a bridge collapsed shortly after being repaired. In March 2016, a flyover collapsed in a busy area of ​​Calcutta, in the east, killing at least 26 people.