Thane: As many as 17 workers were killed and three were injured after a girder launcher machine, fell on them in Shahapur tehsil in Maharashtra’s Thane district on Tuesday. Several people are still feared trapped beneath the debris and efforts are currently underway to rescue them.
The machine involved in the mishap was a specialized mobile gantry crane typically used for bridge construction.The incident took place during the construction of the third phase of the Samruddhi Expressway.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, police personnel as well as fire officials have been deployed for rescue and relief work. “We got information about the incident at around 1:30 am and our first team started the rescue operation around 5:30 am. Our search and rescue operation is still underway. Sniffer dogs have also been used for rescue,” NDRF Assistant Commandant Sarang Kurve told news agency.
Deeply saddened by the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the families of the victims and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each victim’s kin, along with Rs 50,000 for the injured individuals.
“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,” the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed pain over the incident. Taking to Twitter, he announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakhs each for the kin of the deceased and issued instructions for proper treatment of those injured at the state government’s expense.
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