3 dead, 13 missing in Hooghly river as jetty collapses

Kolkata, April 26 (IANS) At least three persons died and 13 others were still missing after a temporary jetty on the Hooghly river collapsed in Hooghly district of west Bengal on Wednesday, the police said.

"Three people died by drowning after a temporary jetty at Telinipara Ghat in Hooghly district's Bhadreswar was wrecked by the high tide and collapsed into the river. Thirteen people are still missing," Hooghly Superintendent of Police Sukesh Jain told IANS over the phone.

According to the police, passengers waiting to cross over to North 24 Parganas district's Shyamnagar on the other side fell into the river as the wooden structure collapsed.

The locals present at the riverbank managed to save some of the passengers from drowning before the disaster management team and rescue team of the state police rushed to the spot.

"We have managed to save nearly 30-35 people so far. The central disaster management team, water police and fire brigade personnel are still running the rescue operation," the officer said.

"Among the rescued passengers eight were admitted to the hospital. But all of them are stable now," he added.