By Online Desk
MORBI: Over 80 people died when a nearly century-old suspension bridge on Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed around 6.20 pm on Sunday. A large number of people were standing on the bridge, which was renovated and reopened four days ago, officials said.
Nearly 70 persons were injured while 70 others were rescued.
The bridge, which was reopened on October 26 on the occasion of Gujarati New Year for the public, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it. A private firm had carried out the repair work of the bridge. No fitness certificate was obtained before the bridge was reopened, sources said.
“Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. A rescue operation is underway. There are reports that several people have suffered injuries, too. They are being rushed to hospitals,” local MLA and state minister Brijesh Merja said.
#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi area todayPM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022
More than 500 people, including children, had come to see the hanging bridge when the accident occurred, Morbi city Congress chief Rajeshbhai Kavar said, as it was the weekend.
The people had congregated on the bridge to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja, NDTV reports.
“There were at least 100 people on the bridge when it collapsed. Around 40 people were rescued and 60 were still missing. Some five to ten were hanging on the bridge and are being rescued,” said Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia.
A five-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the bridge collapse tragedy. The team comprises an IAS officer of municipal administration, a chief engineer to check quality control, a structural engineer, the secretary of road and building and IG CID crime.
Rescue work is hampered by the fact that it is nighttime, said officials.
ALSO READ | 20-year-old bridge collapses, 40 villages lose link to Kagaznagar town
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi left for Morbi as news about the accident came in.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has learned about the incident and has instructed the state machinery to rush to Morbi administration and speed up rescue and emergency medical services.
Rs 2 lakh has been announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the family of each person who lost his or her life in the mishap. Rs 50,000 will be given to each injured person.
The state government will be providing compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured.
I am deeply anguished by the tragic news coming from Morbi, Gujarat. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. May the injured recover soon.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 30, 2022
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi that claimed at least 60 lives and appealed to party workers in the state to extend every possible assistance in rescue work.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also expressed sadness over the tragedy even as he appealed to Congress workers to extend all possible help to the injured.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are currently on the spot carrying out rescue operations. Several boats were pressed into service for the rescue works. Fire and rescue teams from surrounding districts, too, have been rushed to Morbi to speed up rescue work.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and home minister Harsh Sanghvi visited the Morbi to take stock of the situation.
(With inputs from ENS, PTI and ANI)
MORBI: Over 80 people died when a nearly century-old suspension bridge on Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed around 6.20 pm on Sunday. A large number of people were standing on the bridge, which was renovated and reopened four days ago, officials said.
Nearly 70 persons were injured while 70 others were rescued.
The bridge, which was reopened on October 26 on the occasion of Gujarati New Year for the public, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it. A private firm had carried out the repair work of the bridge. No fitness certificate was obtained before the bridge was reopened, sources said.
“Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. A rescue operation is underway. There are reports that several people have suffered injuries, too. They are being rushed to hospitals,” local MLA and state minister Brijesh Merja said.
#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi area today
PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI
— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022
More than 500 people, including children, had come to see the hanging bridge when the accident occurred, Morbi city Congress chief Rajeshbhai Kavar said, as it was the weekend.
The people had congregated on the bridge to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja, NDTV reports.
“There were at least 100 people on the bridge when it collapsed. Around 40 people were rescued and 60 were still missing. Some five to ten were hanging on the bridge and are being rescued,” said Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia.
A five-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the bridge collapse tragedy. The team comprises an IAS officer of municipal administration, a chief engineer to check quality control, a structural engineer, the secretary of road and building and IG CID crime.
Rescue work is hampered by the fact that it is nighttime, said officials.
ALSO READ | 20-year-old bridge collapses, 40 villages lose link to Kagaznagar town
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi left for Morbi as news about the accident came in.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has learned about the incident and has instructed the state machinery to rush to Morbi administration and speed up rescue and emergency medical services.
Rs 2 lakh has been announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the family of each person who lost his or her life in the mishap. Rs 50,000 will be given to each injured person.
The state government will be providing compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured.
I am deeply anguished by the tragic news coming from Morbi, Gujarat. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. May the injured recover soon.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 30, 2022
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday said he was deeply saddened by the suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi that claimed at least 60 lives and appealed to party workers in the state to extend every possible assistance in rescue work.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi also expressed sadness over the tragedy even as he appealed to Congress workers to extend all possible help to the injured.
Three teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), The Indian Army, Navy and Air Force are currently on the spot carrying out rescue operations. Several boats were pressed into service for the rescue works. Fire and rescue teams from surrounding districts, too, have been rushed to Morbi to speed up rescue work.
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and home minister Harsh Sanghvi visited the Morbi to take stock of the situation.
(With inputs from ENS, PTI and ANI)
