Mumbai CST Bridge Collapse: PM Modi anguished over loss of lives

Narendra Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday expressed deep anguish over the loss of lives in the Mumbai foot overbridge collapse.

Five people were killed and 29 injured after a major portion of a foot overbridge near a train station in south Mumbai collapsed in the evening.

"Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to the foot overbridge accident in Mumbai. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Wishing that the injured recover at the earliest," Modi tweeted.

He said the Maharashtra government was providing all possible assistance to those affected.

All the injured have been rushed to nearby hospitals, a disaster management cell official said. An eyewitness said when the bridge collapsed, there was a red light at the nearby signal, and that is why the death toll was contained.

Another eyewitness said the overbridge was being used despite repairs being carried out this morning. The bridge which connected the area near the Times of India building with the iconic CSMT station was commonly known as 'Kasab bridge' after the 26/11 Mumbai attack terrorist passed through it during the terror attacks.

The incident took place around 7.30 pm when a major portion of the bridge caved in, the official said.

Some motorists who were passing beneath the bridge when it came down, were among those injured, he added.

"Fire brigade personnel reached the spot immediately and rescue work is in full swing. We have appealed the motorists to avoid the D N road to JJ flyover section," he said.

"Foot over bridge connecting CST platform 1 north end with B T Lane near Times of India building has collapsed. Injured persons are being shifted to hospitals. Traffic affected. Commuters to use alternate routes. Senior officers are on spot, Mumbai police tweeted.

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