Hopes of finding more survivors trapped under a collapsed flyover are fading in the Indian city of Kolkata.
An Indian Army rescue worker surveys the wreckage. Photo: AFP
The bypass was under construction when it collapsed suddenly, with at least 24 people killed and scores injured.
Police opened a case of culpable homicide against I-V-R-C-L, the company in charge of the construction of the flyover.
Reports said five members of the company had been detained and its headquarters in the southern city of Hyderabad had been sealed off.
Indian rescue workers clear away debris to free people trapped under the collapsed flyover in Kolkata. Photo: AFP
The company said it would cooperate with investigators. In a news conference, one of its senior officials said the company could not be responsible as it had a good safety record.
Officials said more than 90 people had been rescued, some were in hospital in a critical condition.
"Many of the people rescued have been seriously injured," police chief Ajay Tyagi told Reuters.
"Many could still be buried below the debris."
The flyover collapsed on to a busy city road Photo: AFP
SS Guleria of India's National Disaster Response Force told Associated Press the rescue operation was in its "last stage" and "there is no possibility of finding any person alive".
It was not clear how many people could be still trapped under the debris.
The collapse was in one of the busiest parts of one of India's busiest cities.
All around were scenes that spoke of the scale of the tragedy: a crushed and burnt motorcycle, the shattered remains of an auto-rickshaw, a discarded handbag and tattered banners of flapping fabric.
Rescuers have worked through the night to save trapped victims Photo: AFP
Volunteers were handing out hot sweet tea and biscuits to rescue workers and gawkers alike.
With state elections just days away, the reasons behind the collapse were becoming a political issue, not just in Bengal but nationally as well.
People were asking why a construction company blacklisted by other states had been put in charge of the project.
-BBC
