At least 17 workers lost their lives in India’s eastern Mizoram state after a half-built bridge collapsed on Wednesday morning.
A rescue operation has been launched as several people are feared trapped. According to initial reports, there were 40 labourers at the site at the time of the accident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of INR 200,000 ($2,413) from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the families of the deceased workers, while INR 50,000 ($603) will be given to the injured.
Mizoram state chief Zoramthanga took to social media to convey his “deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured”.