Team of 1,000 joint forces carry out rescue operation

A team comprising of 1,000 joint forces from Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Fire Brigade personnel, Disaster Management Group, Civil Defense in the state and Kolkata Police took part in the rescue operations after the city witnessed a major tragedy on Thursday.

The joint forces put up a relentless exercise to save the lives of people who were caught under the debris.

Union Home Ministry has sought a report from the State regarding the accident that took away so many lives of the people. The Centre has stood by the side the State government at the time of crisis and extended all sorts of help. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju said two teams of NDRF comprising of around 90 personnel were sent to the spot to take part in the rescue operations while three more teams comprising of 135 personnel were on their way to the place of the accident. The Ministry sought a report from the state government seeking a detail on how the accident took place.

The joint forces used gas cutters and drilling machines to cut the chunk of debris to remove the persons trapped under the girders. The chunks were cut into pieces by the joint forces and many injured persons were removed from below the debris. Local people and the civic volunteers had initially taken part in the rescue operations. Hydraulic cranes were also pressed into action.

The Army deployed 4 columns of rescue personnel. There are 3 medical teams with ambulances and surgeons in each, along with nursing assistants. One engineering team also reached with specialist equipment. Army had been called in for assistance in the rescue operations. Each column comprised of roughly 60 army personnel. The Army had sent another ambulance with its complement of medics and four recovery vehicles (cranes) and seven water bowsers to the affected area.

Army had sent two teams with gas cutters to the spot. Water bowsers were also sent. 

GOC Bengal AREA Lieutenant General Rajeev Tewary is at the spot of accident and taking stock of the situation. One additional column of army was also deployed. There was also one surgical team from the Command Hospital that provided assistance on the spot. Various voluntary organisations of doctors including Medical Service Centre, Services Doctors Forum treated the injured persons.