Gujarat: 60 die as cable bridge, which was renovated recently, collapses in Morbi
Morbi: At least 60 people died and several others were hurt when a British-era built cable bridge collapsed in Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city on Sunday, media reports said.
The bridge was newly renovated and inaugurated a few days back.
According to reports, a large number of deceased in the incident were women and children.
Late Night Update: More than 90 people have now died in the tragedy.
More than 90 people were killed while many are said to be injured after a hanging bridge collapsed in the Machhu river in Gujarat's Morbi district.#gujaratbridge
— United News of India (@uniindianews) October 30, 2022
Several injured in cable bridge collapse in #Morbi pic.twitter.com/51S7G2R6d8
— Janvi Sonaiya (@JanviSonaiya) October 30, 2022
Rescue operation is currently going on as several people are still missing.
As many as 500 people were believed to present on the bridge,which is over 140-year-old, when it collapsed.
The bridge is also considered to be a popular tourist spot in the city.
According to reports, 100 people are believed to have fallen in the river following the collapse of the bridge.
Meanwhile, a Gujarat minister said the state government will take responsibility for the mishap.
"The government takes responsibility for this tragedy. The PM has spoken to the Chief Minister. All top officials are on ground. The renovation happened last week. We are also shocked. We are looking into the matter," Brijesh Merja, Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) of Gujarat, told NDTV.
Brijesh Merja has shared several videos and images from the accident site on his social media page.
Gujarat is currently ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government.
આદરણીય વડાપ્રધાનશ્રી @narendramodi જી એ મારી સાથે મોરબી ઝુલતા પુલની દુઃખદ ઘટના અંગે જાણકારી મેળવી છે.
— Brijesh Merja (@brijeshmeja1) October 30, 2022
મુખ્યમંત્રીશ્રી @Bhupendrapbjp પણ મારી સાથે સતત સંપર્કમાં છે.
સૌને નમ્ર અપીલ કે આ દુઃખની ઘડીમાં આપણે સૌ સાથે મળી શક્ય તેટલા લોકોને મદદરૂપ થઈએ. (1/1) pic.twitter.com/cgsPVLNeX7
The mishap occurred at a time when the state is gearing up to vote to elect a new Assembly in the upcoming months.
મોરબી ઝૂલતા પુલ દુર્ઘટના અંગે આદરણીય વડાપ્રધાનશ્રી @narendramodi જી એ મુખ્યમંત્રી @Bhupendrapbjp અને મંત્રી બ્રિજેશ મેરજા પાસેથી તમામ વિગતો મેળવી છે. વધુમાં વડાપ્રધાન દ્વારા બચાવ કાર્યમાં કોઈ કસર ન છોડવાના આદેશ પણ આપવામાં આવ્યા છે.(1/1) pic.twitter.com/D7ab09E3vi
— Brijesh Merja (@brijeshmeja1) October 30, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials over the mishap.
PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 30, 2022
Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel have announced ex-gratia for the family of deceased people.
PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 30, 2022
"PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected," PMO India tweeted.
"PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," read another tweet.
મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્ર પટેલે મોરબી ખાતે હોસ્પિટલમાં સારવાર લઈ રહેલા ઈજાગ્રસ્તોની રૂબરૂ મુલાકાત લઈને તેમની સ્થિતિ તેમજ તેમને મળી રહેલ સારવારની વિગતો જાણી હતી. pic.twitter.com/vnhupeMvq0
— CMO Gujarat (@CMOGuj) October 30, 2022
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visited a hospital where the injured people are undergoing treatment. He also visited the site of the tragedy.
મોરબી પુલ દુર્ઘટના બાદ મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી ભૂપેન્દ્રભાઈ પટેલ અને ગૃહ રાજ્ય મંત્રી શ્રી હર્ષભાઈ સંઘવીએ અસરગ્રસ્તોની જાત મુલાકાત લઈને ખબર અંતર પૂછ્યા..#MorbiBridge pic.twitter.com/icLjUWZGkl
— Gujarat Information (@InfoGujarat) October 30, 2022
Reactions:
President Droupadi Murmu tweeted: "The tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat has left me worried. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. Relief and rescue efforts will bring succour to the victims."
The tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat has left me worried. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. Relief and rescue efforts will bring succour to the victims.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 30, 2022
Apart from the tweets posted in PMO India Twitter handle, PM Narendra Modi also wrote a condolence message on his personal handle in Gujarati.
મોરબી ખાતે થયેલ દુર્ઘટનાથી અત્યંત દુ:ખી છું. આ અંગે ગુજરાતના મુખ્યમંત્રી શ્રી @Bhupendrapbjp તથા અન્ય અધિકારીઓ સાથે વાત કરી. રાહત અને બચાવ કામગીરી પુરઝડપે ચાલી રહી છે તથા અસરગ્રસ્તોને તમામ આવશ્યક સહાય પૂરી પાડવામાં આવી રહી છે.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 30, 2022
Before becoming the PM, Modi had served as the CM of Gujarat.
Expressing grief, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said he is praying for the safety of the people.
गुजरात से बेहद दुःखद खबर मिल रही है। मोरबी में ब्रिज टूट जाने से कई लोगों के नदी में गिर जाने की खबर है। भगवान से उनकी जान और स्वास्थ्य की प्रार्थना करता हूँ।
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 30, 2022
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee posted: " I am deeply concerned about the tragic bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, that has cost several innocent lives and left many trapped.My deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery."
I am deeply concerned about the tragic bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, that has cost several innocent lives and left many trapped.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 30, 2022
My deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed sadness over the deaths in the bridge collapse tragedy.
गुजरात के मोरबी में हुए पुल हादसे की खबर बेहद दुःखद है। ऐसे मुश्किल समय में मैं सभी शोकाकुल परिवारों को अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 30, 2022
सभी कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ताओं से अपील करता हूं कि दुर्घटना में घायल व्यक्तियों की हर संभव सहायता करें और लापता लोगों की तलाश में मदद करें।
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