21 people were killed when a section of the flyover under construction crashed in a crowded market in Kolkata.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Washington for a Summit on Nuclear Security, dialled West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today to assure "all possible support" to her government following this afternoon's flyover collapse in Kolkata that killed 21 people.
Mr Modi's call came after the under-construction flyover collapsed at a busy Kolkata intersection burying vehicles and people underneath, killing many and injuring over 70 others. Some people are still believed trapped under the debris.
The Army too is engaged in looking for survivors and helping with the relief and rescue operations. "Our main focus right now is rescuing those trapped," Ms Banerjee said in the evening.
PM Modi's party, the BJP, and Ms Banerjee's Trinamool Congress are political rivals in the state where the state assembly elections begin next week. Both parties have engaged in a high-pitched election campaign against each other in the last few days.
PM Modi's office tweeted, "PM spoke to WB CM @MamataOfficial on the situation arising due to the collapse of an under construction flyover in Kolkata. PM expressed grief on the mishap in Kolkata & assured all possible support from the Centre," the tweet said.
Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said he had directed the National Disaster Response Force under his ministry to rush to the accident site. The army used heat cameras to track survivors. Challenged by the metal and concrete, rescuers used cutters, drilling machines and sensors.
The 2-km flyover was coming up at Burrabazar, one of the oldest and most congested parts of the city.