It was found that over 60 persons, mostly leaving for Shyamnagar in North 24 Parganas, were standing on the jetty made of bamboo sticks and wood when it gave way at about 11.30 am.
At least three persons died and several others went missing when a temporary jetty collapsed at Bhadreswar in Hooghly district on Wednesday.
It was found that over 60 persons, mostly leaving for Shyamnagar in North 24 Parganas, were standing on the jetty made of bamboo sticks and wood when it gave way at about 11.30 am.
"So far three persons have died, including one woman. About 35 people have been rescued. We suspect that 10-11 people are still missing. Rescue operation is on," said Sukesh Jain, SP Hooghly.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Raja Chowdhury (26) and Manas Ghosh (28). The woman is still unidentified. About 10,000 persons use the jetty everyday.
Local residents got into rescue work even before officials of the disaster management department arrived. Speed boats were pressed in for the rescue operation and local fishermen also chipped in to help and rescued at least 20 persons out of the water. Sources said that 35 persons who had been rescued were taken to Chandannagar sub-divisional hospital.
Police said the jetty, which was in a dilapidated state, was about 300-metre-long and the portion of the jetty which collapsed first owing to high tide was far away from the river bank. Sources said that some people managed to swim to safety.
"Had there been provision of safety kits and life jackets, there would not have been any casualty," an official of the rescue team said. People also alleged that there had been no warning of high tide.
The state government announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 25,000 to each of the injured.
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