Most of them expressed shock, some shared contacts for blood donations while some offered to recharge mobile services for free -- netizens reached out on social media under the hash tag #prayforkolkata in the aftermath of the collapse of a flyover that killed at least 14 people on Thursday.
Plans to cheer for India against West Indies in the WorldT20 semi-finals at Mumbai's Wankhede were sidelined.
Images of the iconic Howrah Bridge and gory pictures of the mangled remains of the 100-metre fallen stretch embossed with 'prayforkolkata' did the rounds on Twitter and Facebook as bodies continued to be extricated from the debris.
"Today i won't make a single tweet related to the semifinal match, no matter who wins. There is no reason to celebrate. #PrayForKolkata," tweeted one.
"The victims of #Kolkata need your prayers more than Team India right now. #PrayForKolkata. The ones responsible must be punished," said another.
As daylight faded, slowing down rescue and relief, grief-stricken social media users pitched in to help.
More From This Section
"Those who are out of balance in #Kolkata and need it urgently, Reply your Mobile Number with Operator Name, I'll Recharge. #PrayForKolkata," said one.
Others urged for blood donations.
"I urge to people of Kolkata, pls donate blood to wounded people in this hour of tragedy #PrayForKolkata," posted one.
"Please RT. contact these numbers for blood donation requirements 9883005724... 9062449500... 9051541024 #PrayForKolkata #Kolkata."
Many vented their anger at the political blame-game as the BJP, Congress and CPI-M tore into the ruling Trinamool Congress for the mayhem.
"No earthquake or natural calamities can harm, such a way sheer bad politics has done to my beautiful city!," tweeted another.