National Disaster Relief Force and Quick Response Team have recovered 18 bodies so far and rescued three injured after an under-construction railway bridge collapsed in Mizorams Aizwal district on Wednesday.The incident was reported near Sairang village which is located around 21 kms from district headquarters Aizwal around 9.30 am.#WATCH | Mizoram: Search & rescue operation underway in the Sairang area about 20 km from Aizawl where the under-construction railway bridge collapsed. pic.twitter.com/XmkM4hturS— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2023According to the official statement the bodies have been sent for the postmortem to a team from Zoram Medical College and Civil Hospital in Aizwal. Meanwhile, the rescue operations by the NDRF, BSF and Police continued since the incident has happened. The statement reads, “The bodies will be embalmed and will be handed over to the railway department for transportation to respective home villages.”Meanwhile, Department of Information and Public Relations, Mizoram tweeted, “Transport Minister Pu TJ Lalnuntluanga today visited the Khamrang-Sihhmui railway line. The deceased were all West Bengal residents. The bodies were sent for post mortem at Sairang Dinthar YMA Hall.”Transport Minister Pu TJ Lalnuntluanga chuan Khamrang-Sihhmui inkara Rel kawng atana Lei dawh lai mek chim chu a hmunah a tlawh. Railway company sawidanin thite hi West Bengal mi vek a ni a, ruangte hi Sairang Dinthar YMA Hallah post mortem nghal a ni.https://t.co/1nVvRFjiJl pic.twitter.com/17JnusgtQn— DIPRMizoram (@dipr_mizoram) August 23, 2023The railway authorities have ordered for the high-level probe in the incident. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief on the incident and have announced ex-gratia for the families of kins.The tweet by PMO reads, “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: PM.”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
