The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased family, who were killed after...

Digital Desk: The railway ministry has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the deceased family, who were killed after an under-construction railway bridge over the Kurung river in Mizoram collapsed on Wednesday, Northeast Frontier Railway's Chief Public Relations Officer Sabyasachi De informed on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons, Sabyasachi De said, "On Wednesday around 10.30 a.m., the 196 bridge connecting Bairabi to Sairang collapsed in the Sairang area during construction. The contractors who were working on the bridge were launching a girder when it collapsed."

"The Railway Ministry has announced an ex-gratia of ten lakh to the next of kin, two lakh to the seriously injured, and fifty lakh to the minor injured," De added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing condolences, announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the deceased's next of kin.

PM Modi stated that the ex-gratia would be paid from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga, on the other hand, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life in the tragedy and expressed gratitude to all those who assisted in the rescue operation.

"A railway over bridge under construction in Sairang, near Aizawl, collapsed today, killing at least 17 workers: rescue efforts are underway. This incident has deeply saddened and impacted us. I express my heartfelt sympathies to all of the lost families and wish the injured a fast recovery. We are grateful to the people who have come out in large numbers to assist with rescue operations," Mizoram CM said.