Gujarat: A cable bridge across the Machchhu river in the Morbi area fell on Sunday, causing at least 140 fatalities. 177 people have been rescued. Three National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) platoons, comprising 50 members of the Indian Navy, 30 members of the Indian Air Force (IAF), two columns of soldiers, and seven teams of the Fire Brigade, have been dispatched with cutting-edge equipment from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Diu, and Surendranagar.
According to officials, the bridge collapsed because it could not support the weight of the people who were standing on it after it underwent refurbishment and was just reopened to the public.
The PMNRF will grant an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the relatives of those who died in the accident, and Rs. 50,000 would be given to those who were injured, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bhupendra Patel, the chief minister of Gujarat, also expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and promised an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh for the injured.
“A number of people plunged into the river as a result of the bridge collapse. There is a rescue effort under place. According to accounts, multiple people have been hurt. Hospitals are being rushed to receive them” Brijesh Merja, a state minister and local MLA, stated. Several women and children were on the hanging bridge when it collapsed, according to eyewitnesses.
SIT to look into the incident
To investigate the incident, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of five people has been assembled. IAS Rajkumar Beniwal, Chief Engineer KM Patel, Head of Structural Engineering Gopal Tank, Secretary of Roads and Buildings Sandeep Vasava, and Subhash Trivedi will make up the team (IG- CID Crime).
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A “fitness certificate” was missing for the Morbi Cable Bridge.
According to a representative, the suspension-cable bridge lacks the municipality’s “fitness certificate.” Just four days prior, the bridge had reopened to traffic following seven months of private company-performed repairs. Around 6.30 pm, a bridge in Morbi city that was over a century old collapsed due to overcrowding.
Bhupendra Patel, the chief minister of Gujarat, has also arrived at the scene of the tragedy to assess the situation. “For a period of 15 years, operation and upkeep of the bridge were assigned to the Oreva firm. It was closed to the public for renovations starting in March of this year.
On October 26, the day of the Gujarati New Year, it reopened following renovations “stated Sandeepsinh Zala, chief officer of the Morbi Municipality. “Following the completion of the renovations, it was made public. However, following the renovation work, the local municipality had not yet granted a fitness certificate “explained he.
The suspension bridge was described as a “engineering marvel” that was constructed around the turn of the 19th century and it “reflects the progressive and scientific nature of the rulers of Morbi.”
Condolences are being sent to the deceased.
The next of kin of those who perished in the accident will get an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF), while those who were injured would receive payments of Rs. 50,000 each. On Twitter, Modi expressed his sorrow by writing in Gujarati, “I am profoundly pained by the incident at Morbi. Gujarat’s Chief Minister, Shri Bhupendra, discussed this with other officials. The affected are receiving all essential aid while relief and rescue efforts are in full swing.
Bhupendra Patel, the chief minister of Gujarat, expressed sympathy to the injured. He declared an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh for the surviving family members of the tragically killed, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. Tweeted Patel “I send my sympathies to the families of the Morbi tragic victims who were civilians. The state government would give each deceased person’s family Rs 4 lakh and each injured person Rs 50,000.”
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Amit Shah, the home minister, too expressed sorrow over the tragedy and stated, “The accident that happened in Morbi makes me very sorry. I’ve discussed this with Harsh Sanghvi, Gujarat’s state minister of home, as well as other officials. The local government is actively engaged in relief efforts, and the NDRF is on its way to the area. The government has been ordered to treat the injured people right away.”
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