In an unfortunate incident, at least 16 people were killed and three others injured after a girder launching machine collapsed on under construction Samruddhi Express Highway, near Shahpur in Maharashtra’s Thane on Tuesday morning. The machine was being reportedly used in the construction of Phase III of the Samruddhi Express Highway.
Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are present at the spot and search and rescue efforts are underway.
Several people are feared to be trapped under the collapsed structure, NDRF said in a statement.
“Today an unfortunate incident happened at Shahpur Tehsil of Thane District on under construction Samruddhi Expressway in which one Crane fell on a Slab of a Bridge in which two teams of NDRF are working on the site,” it said.
Till now a total of 16 dead bodies recovered and three injuries are reported, police said.
As per the preliminary information, the crane collapsed from a height of 200 feet above the ground. It was being used to hoist the girder of the under-construction bridge.