Thane: 17 killed as crane collapses on Samruddhi Highway
What's the story
At least 17 workers died and three sustained injuries after a crane fell on a bridge slab at the construction site of the Samruddhi Highway in Thane, Maharashtra, on Tuesday.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 12:00am on Tuesday near Sarlambe village in Shahapur block, about 80km from Mumbai.
The injured were rushed to a hospital soon after the accident.
Twitter Post
Visuals from accident site
#WATCH | Maharashtra: Visuals from Khutadi Sarlambe village in Thane's Shahapur where a girder machine collapsed today.
— ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2023
A total of 15 bodies have been recovered so far and three injured reported: NDRF https://t.co/3QiIuUwoIP pic.twitter.com/OkKVMxpHYQ
Details
5 persons feared trapped: NDRF
A preliminary investigation revealed that workers were killed after a girder-launching machine collapsed on them.
The girder machine is a special-purpose mobile gantry crane used in the construction of highways, railway bridges, and large buildings.
Following the incident, teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), fire brigade, and police began rescue operations.
Five people were still believed to be trapped in the debris.
Quotes
PM Modi, CM Shinde announce compensation
Offering condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for the families of the victims and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
In a tweet, Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said an inquiry had been ordered into the incident.
Twitter Post
PM Modi's Twitter post
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…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) August 1, 2023
Highway
Over 100 killed since highway's inauguration
Notably, the workers were engaged in constructing the third phase of the Samruddhi Highway, which is named Hindu Hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg.
It is a 701km-long expressway connecting Mumbai to Nagpur and traverses across 10 districts.
According to Mid-Day, more than 100 people have been killed since the project's inauguration in December 2022.