During construction of Samruddhi Expressway 17 workers killed

At least five are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure...

During construction of the third phase of Samruddhi Expressway in Maharashtra's Thane district, at least 17 workers killed as a grider machine fell on them on Monday late night, police said. The machine used in bridge construction is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane.

Two National Disaster Response Force or NDRF teams are working at the site after the crane fell on the slab of a bridge in Shahapur tehsil of Thane district. At least five are feared to be trapped inside the collapsed structure, the NDRF said.

According to the reports, the machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in bridge construction. Which is used to install precast box girders in highway and high-speed rail bridge construction projects.

Police and fire brigade personnel along with local agencies are engaged in a rescue operation. The death toll is expected to rise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of those who killed.

“Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra. My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are injured. NDRF and local administration are working at the site of the mishap and all possible measures are being taken to ensure proper assistance to those affected,” Modi said.