What we know about India’s deadly bridge collapse

India’s bridge collapse is a tragedy that continues to unfold. Here’s what we know so far. An under-construction flyover in the Indian city of Kolkata collapsed on Thursday, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 100, officials said. The accident happened in a crowded area near Howrah Bridge, one of the busiest places in Kolkata.

What caused the Indian bridge to collapse?

The collapse of a footbridge in the Indian state of Maharashtra has killed at least 22 people and injured dozens more, officials say.

The bridge, which was being used by pedestrians and vehicles, caved in around 07:30 local time (01:00 GMT) on Thursday near the city of Mahad.

Hundreds of people are believed to have been using the bridge at the time.

Rescue teams are currently searching for survivors. The cause of the collapse is not yet known.

Who is to blame for the Indian bridge collapse?

In India, a bridge collapse is being called a "tragedy foretold" as questions mount over who is to blame. The death toll has now risen to 26, with many more people feared dead or injured.

The collapsed bridge was in the town of Kolkata and was used by both pedestrians and vehicles. It was reportedly built in the 1970s and had been declared unfit for use in 2016. In the years since nothing appears to have been done to address the issue.

Now, locals are pointing the finger at both the state government and the contractors who were responsible for the upkeep of the bridge. There are also calls for an investigation into how such a disaster could have been allowed to happen.

It's still unclear exactly what caused the collapse, but it's clear that someone is to blame. And until responsibility is taken, it's likely that this won't be the last tragedy of its kind in India.

How many people died in the Indian bridge collapse?

At least 26 people died after a portion of a bridge collapsed in the Indian state of Kerela on Tuesday, according to officials. The death toll is expected to rise as more people are feared trapped under the debris.

The incident took place around 4:30 p.m. local time in the coastal city of Kochi when a section of the bridge, which was under construction, gave way. Videos posted on social media showed a massive chunk of concrete and metal falling into the river below, sending up a large plume of dust.

Rescue operations are currently underway and authorities have deployed multiple teams of police and fire personnel to the site. So far, 26 bodies have been recovered from the river and around 20 people have been rescued, officials said.

What could have been done to prevent the Indian bridge collapse?

In order to prevent the collapse of the Indian bridge, various measures could have been taken. To begin with, a thorough analysis of the bridge’s structure should have been conducted in order to identify any potential weaknesses. Once any weaknesses were identified, corrective measures should have been taken to address them. Additionally, regular inspections of the bridge should have been carried out in order to ensure that it remained in good condition.

What needs to be done now in the aftermath of the Indian bridge collapse?

In the aftermath of the India bridge collapse, rescuers are working to find survivors and bodies in the rubble. The death toll has risen to 23, with many more people still missing. More than 100 people were on the bridge when it collapsed, and witnesses say that some managed to swim to safety.

The Indian Army has deployed troops to help with the rescue effort, and teams from the National Disaster Response Force are also at the scene. So far, nine people have been pulled alive from the debris, but hopes of finding more survivors are fading.

The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but an investigation is underway. The bridge was built in 2016 and was used by both pedestrians and vehicles. It was located in a busy area near several temples, and its collapse during peak hours caused a massive traffic jam.

India's Deadly Bridge Collapse

At least 24 people were killed and dozens more injured when a newly built bridge collapsed in the Indian city of Kolkata on Tuesday.

The bridge, which was under construction, spanned nearly two miles over the Hooghly River. It was intended to reduce traffic congestion in the city of 16 million people.

Witnesses said that a large portion of the bridge collapsed around 4:30 p.m., sending cars and pedestrians plunging into the river below.

The cause of the collapse is not yet known, but an investigation is underway. The company that built the bridge has been suspended from all future projects.

The Different Types of Collapses

There are three different types of collapses that can occur in a building or structure: progressive, sudden, and partial.

Progressive collapse is when a failure in one area of the building leads to a domino effect of failures throughout the rest of the structure. This type of collapse is often seen in buildings that have been damaged by fire or explosives.

Sudden collapse occurs when the entire structure fails at once. This can be due to a number of factors, including severe weather conditions, faulty construction, or foundational instability.

Partial collapse is when only a portion of the structure collapses. This can be caused by localized damage, such as from an earthquake or vehicle collision.

The Causes of Collapses

There are many potential causes of bridge collapses, and it can be difficult to determine the exact cause without a thorough investigation. However, some common causes of bridge collapses include:

- Poor design or construction: This is perhaps the most common cause of bridge collapses. If a bridge is not designed properly or constructed using substandard materials, it is likely to collapse.

- Natural disasters: Extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, can weaken or damage bridges, causing them to collapse.

- Neglect or lack of maintenance: Over time, bridges can deteriorate due to neglect or lack of maintenance. This can eventually lead to a collapse.

- Vehicle collisions: If a large vehicle collides with a bridge, it can cause the bridge to collapse.

The Aftermath of Collapses

In the wake of the bridge collapse in India that killed more than two dozen people, investigators are working to determine what caused the structure to fail. The tragedy has put a spotlight on the country's infrastructure problems, which have been exacerbated by years of underinvestment.

India has a long history of bridge collapses, dating back to at least 2013 when a bridge in Kolkata collapsed, killing more than 100 people. In 2016, another bridge collapse in the city of Chennai killed 27 people. And last year, a pedestrian bridge in Mumbai collapsed, killing six and injuring dozens more.

These disasters underscore the need for better maintenance of India's infrastructure. They also highlight the country's challenges in upgrading its aging infrastructure and meeting the needs of its rapidly growing population.

How to Prevent Collapses

As we continue to learn more about the Indian bridge collapse, it's important to understand how such disasters can be prevented in the future. Below are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Regular maintenance is crucial. This means inspecting bridges regularly and repairing any damage that is found.

2. Load restrictions should be strictly followed. Overloading a bridge can put undue stress on its structure and lead to collapse.

3. Proper construction is essential. Bridges must be built according to code and with high-quality materials in order to be safe.

4. Emergency response plans should be in place. In the event of a collapse, having a plan in place can help save lives.

Conclusion

The India bridge collapse was a tragedy that could have been avoided. The Indian government is now investigating the cause of the collapse and has promised to take measures to prevent something like this from happening again. In the meantime, our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.