Over 18 dead in Varanasi after under-construction flyover collapses, several feared trapped

At least 18 people died after a portion of an under-construction flyover collapsed Tuesday in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Authorities fear the death toll could go up since a number of construction workers working on the site are said to be trapped in the rubble.

The relief commissioner said bodies of at least 16 people were recovered from the site while three people were safely rescued.

Pictures from the site showed gruesome images of crushed cars with their occupants still in them. 

UP Chief Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for family members of those who died in the accident while Rs 2 lakh for those who got serious injuries.

The flyover collapsed near Varanasi's Cantt railway station. 

News reports said the flyover was a kilometre long. 

An eyewitness to the incident said that 4 four wheelers, an autorickshaw and a minibus were crushed in the collapse.

UP minister Sidharth Nath Singh said CM Yogi Adityanath "expressed grief" over the deaths and directed Deputy Chief Minister KP Maurya and minister Neelkanth Tiwari to visit the accident site. Singh added that Adityanath had also asked the administration to speed up rescue operations.

Yogi Adityanath also said that five teams of NDRF (250 jawans) with full equipment were rushed to the spot of accident.

PM Modi also tweeted,"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. 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."