Death toll in Mizoram rail bridge mishap mounts to 23

So far 18 bodies have been recovered, rescue operations are still under way to retrieve 5 more bodies. Mizoram Transport Minister TJ Lalnuntluanga is at the site

The death toll in the tragic Mizoram rail bridge mishap rose to 26, 3 workers were injured.

So far 18 bodies have been recovered from the incident site and rescue operations are still under way to retrieve 5 bodies.

In a major tragedy at around 10 am this morning a steel girder collapsed as it was being placed on the under-construction pier bridge of the Railways at Sairang, 19 kms from Mizoram’s capital Aizawl.
There were 28 workers at the site when the girder collapsed. The workers were mostly from West Bengal. Two engineers were also at the site, Mizoram Transport Minister TJ Lalnuntluanga who is at the site told Northeast Live.

“The bridge is intact. It is the gantry that has fallen down. The local railway team is already there. An 8-member medical team is already on way to the site. Rescue operations are already underway. NDRF team is already at the site,” CPRO of Northeast Frontier Railway, Sabyasachi De told Northeast Live.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured in the incident.

Distressed to know that a tragic bridge mishap in Mizoram caused loss of lives. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 23, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed “pain” at the mishap and loss of lives. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for those injured.

“Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 50,000 would be given to the injured,” the PM said in a tweet.

Pained by the bridge mishap in Mizoram. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 23, 2023

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled the deaths in the incident and said, “Anguished by the tragic accident in Mizoram. I have spoken to the Governor and CM Mizoram and assured all possible assistance. The NDRF and local administration are on-site, conducting rescue operations. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Anguished by the tragic accident in Mizoram. I have spoken to the Governor and CM Mizoram and assured all possible assistance. The NDRF and local administration are on-site, conducting rescue operations. My condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of…

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 23, 2023

Taking to X, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed his condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the incident, and announced ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased. Rs. 2 lakh would be given to the injured persons while, Rs. 50,000 will be given to people with minor injuries.

Grieved by the unfortunate incident in Mizoram. NDRF, state administration and railway officials are at the site. Rescue operation on war footing.
Ex-gratia compensation:
₹10 Lakh in case of death,
₹2 Lakh towards grievous and ₹50,000 for minor injuries.

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) August 23, 2023

Mizoram CM Zoramthanga too condoled the deaths and thanked the local people for their prompt action in helping the injured.

“Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Sending gratitude to the people who have come out in large numbers to help with rescue operations,” tweeted Mizoram CM Zoramthanga.

Under construction railway over bridge at Sairang, near Aizawl collapsed today; atleast 17 workers died: Rescue under progress.

Deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy. I extend my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the… pic.twitter.com/IbmjtHSPT7

— Zoramthanga (@ZoramthangaCM) August 23, 2023

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also condoled the deaths and extended his thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims.

The people of Assam firmly stand with our Mizo brothers and sisters in this hour of grief. This tragic loss is irreplaceable. Our thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims. 🙏

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) August 23, 2023

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu also condoled the deaths in the tragic mishap.

“Saddened by the tragic underconstruction railway bridge collapse in Aizawl, Mizoram. My heartfelt condolences to the affected families. Sending prayers for a swift recovery of the injured,” CM Khandu tweeted.

Saddened by the tragic underconstruction railway bridge collapse in Aizawl, Mizoram. My heartfelt condolences to the affected families.

Sending prayers for a swift recovery of the injured. 🙏

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) August 23, 2023

Also Read: Mizoram: Steel girder collapses in under-construction rail bridge site, 17 dead, 23 feared trapped

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