Bridge collapses in South Kolkata's Majerhat area: LIVE UPDATES

A section of Majerhat flyover collapsed in Kolkata on Tuesday afternoon -- a time of the day when the area is said to be heavily-crowded.

First visuals of the collapsed bridge showed a section of the flyover having completely collapsed, with the vehicles that were likely on it at that time clearly visible.

People are believed to be trapped underneath the debris, and police and rescue teams have reached the location at the time of publishing.

More updates to follow below. Watch LIVE reporting on the bridge collapse on Republic TV here. 

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Read: Kolkata Bridge Collapse: PWD Gives Out A List Of Seven "most Vulnerable" Bridges In Kolkata

Update at 9:00 AM: Updated casualty figure - Total injured so far : 24 ( 21M + 3F), 1 dead
SSKM : 15 ( 6 admitted + 5 under treatment, 3 treated and discharged)
CMRI :  9 (4 admitted + 5 treated and discharged)
Vidyasagar hospital : 1(admitted)

Update at 7.57 PM: President of India Ram Nath Kovind expressed his grief over the bridge collapse 

Update at 7.55 PM: Central Armed Police Force reach the spot where part of Majerhat bridge in South Kolkata has collapsed.

Update at 7:15 PM: BJP President Amit Shah expresses his grief over the Majerhat bridge collapse.

Update at 7:07 PM: Bridge deserved better maintenance. There was a report on a pit here for quite some time, I don't know whether PWD noted it. PWD and Railway administration had the responsibility to maintain it. Matter requires investigation: WB Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi

Update at 6:59 PM: One casualty confirmed in Majerhat bridge collapse

Total injured so far: 19 (17 male, 2 female)

9 injured persons at SSKM Hospital

10 injured persons at CMRI Hospital

1 person brought dead at SSKM

Update at 6:52 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi issues tweet on Majerhat bridge collapse:

Update at 6:48 PM: West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi present at the location.

Update at 6:37 PM: 

Update at 6:24 PM: "There are no casualties till now. Health Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is at the hospital. There was a slum area under the bridge. We are trying to rescue them", says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

Update at 6:20 PM: "There are no deaths till now. 6-8 persons are badly injured", says West Bengal Urban Development minister Firhad Hakim

Update at 6:16 PM: Crane pressed into action to clear heavy debris

Update at 6:13 PM: 

"No requisition. Three columns on standby. Would be deployed if called for by the state government" - Army update on bridge collapse

Update at 6:09 PM: 

Update at 6:04 PM: Rescue operations continue in fading light

Update at 5:53 PM: 

Update at 5:50 PM: West Bengal Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim issues statement from the location saying there are no casualties as yet:

'Six persons have been admitted to hospital. Our people went inside and said there's nobody there. Still, we're bringing our crane and will check. This bridge had been built by the port trust 40 years back. We will conduct technical inquiry later.'

Update at 5:48 PM: 

Update at 5:44 PM: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issues another statement:

'Urban development minister and Police Commissioner at the location'

'We will find out how it happened later'

'The main focus is to ensure rescue operations'

'Police will send an immediate report'

'I'm trying to make alternate arrangements to reach Kolkata (from Darjeeling)'

'First priority is to ensure rescue and relief operations'

Update at 5:43 PM: As per reports, another part of the around 30-year old bridge are also in poor condition

Update at 5:39 PM:

Update at 5:36 PM: Six fire engines also at the location. The Kolkata Police Commissioner is also on the spot

Update at 5:34 PM: As per reports, 22-25 people have been rescued and nine are injured. The injured persons have been shifted to the SSKM hospital

Update at 5:33 PM: 

Update at 5:32 PM: Port trust rescue team also at the location 

Update at 5:31 PM: 

Update at 5:28 PM: Rescue personnel attempting to cut through the debris 

Update at 5:24 PM: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issues a statement from Darjeeling:

'Rescue operation is on. I have ordered an investigation. We will take all measures to ensure rescue operations are smooth. We will discuss how it happened later, first we have to provide immediate relief.  

Derek O'Brien tweets again:

Update at 5:22 PM: Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien tweets on the bridge collapse:

Update at 5:21 PM: Kolkata Traffic department tweets - 

Update at 5:20 PM: Location of the bridge on Google Maps:

Update at 5:15 PM: The Majerhat bridge serves as a railway overbridge near the Majerhat railway station. The Diamond Harbour road of which it is a part has been closed. The bridge connects Alipore to Behala, Taratalla and Chetla

Update at 5:14 PM: