[World News ★★★]
India Kolkata flyover collapse: At least 18 dead
P1) A flyover under construction in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata (Calcutta) has collapsed, killing at least 18 people and injuring others. Many people are feared trapped under the concrete and steel bridge, which fell on a busy road.
(P2) Safety issues such as lack of inspections and the use of substandard materials have plagued construction projects in the country.
(P3) The accident took place in an area near Girish Park, one of Kolkata’s most densely populated neighborhoods, with narrow lanes, and shops and houses built close together.
(P4) Witnesses say other cars, buses, and trucks have also been hit. People are said to have been living in makeshift homes under the flyover.
(P5) The army and national disaster agency in India have joined the rescue operation, which has been hampered by difficulties in getting ambulances and other vehicles close to the site.
(P6) At least 70 injured have been taken to hospitals, officials say.
(P7) Emergency teams have been sent with sniffer dogs, concrete cutters, drilling machines and sensors to detect life, a rescue official told AFP news agency.
(P8) These are chaotic scenes, as officials are desperately trying to clear the area, worried that the rest of the flyover may collapse. They are trying to bring in equipment to clear the rubble and rescue those who may be under it.
(P9) It is a race against time and the death toll may rise. A rescue official said there were buses trapped.
(P10) India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Washington on an official visit, tweeted that he was “shocked and saddened” by the collapse.
WORDS: 268
SOURCE: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35933452
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly, summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Is safety a concern in your country?
- How can construction companies provide better safety for their employees?
- Did your country ever experience a tragic accident? Explain
- Do you think your government should do more to prevent these types of construction accidents?
EXPRESSIONS & PHRASES:
What do the following expressions mean?
- Race against time
- Sniffer dogs
Image source: by Reuters http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35933452