Morbi (Gujarat): Around 400 people fell into the Machchhu river when the cable suspension bridge collapsed at around 6.30 pm on Sunday in Morbi, Gujarat. According to media reports about 90 people are feared dead so far in the accident. There was a rush of people on the bridge, which was reopened for the public just four days ago following the renovation work.
Former BJP MLA from Morbi Kanti Amrutia has claimed that so far the bodies of 60 people have been recovered in the accident. These include more than 10 children. A fire department official said that boats were being used to rescue people from the river.
This bridge was closed for the last 6 months. Recently its repair work was completed at a cost of about Rs 2 crore. A private operator had carried out the repair work of the bridge before it was reopened to the public on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26.. The district administration has issued a helpline number (02822243300).
PM Modi spoke to CM Patel: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the accident. He took information about the incident from CM Bhupendra Patel and announced an assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the dependents of the dead and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
There was a rush of tourists on the bridge: This 765 feet long suspension bridge of Morbi is more than 140 years old. A fee of Rs 15 is charged to visit this bridge. Eyewitnesses said that there were several women, children and others on the hanging bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below.
SDRF and NDRF teams on the spot for rescue: SDRF and NDRF teams are present on the spot for the rescue operations. Apart from this, swimmers and 7 fire brigade teams have been dispatched from Kutch and Rajkot. Control room and help line numbers have also been issued. CM Bhupendra Patel himself has left for Morbi.
400-500 people were gathered on the bridge with a capacity of 100 people: Due to the Diwali vacation and being a Sunday, there was a rush of tourists on the bridge, a major tourist attraction. Road and Building Department Minister Jagdish Panchal said that this bridge is owned by the Municipal Corporation.
Corporation officials said that the capacity of the bridge is to bear the weight of about 100 people. However, due to Sunday being a holiday, 400 to 500 people had gathered on the bridge at the time of the accident.
Air Force's Garud commandos left: 50 Air Force Garud commandos have left from Jamnagar for rescue late in the evening. 50 rescue boats have also been sent with them. These Garud commandos will conduct rescue operations at night.
7 to 8 ambulances have also reached the spot. Swimmers are also getting into the water in large numbers and evacuating people.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that he is cancelling all his events and leaving for Morbi.
'I am leaving for Morbi by cancelling all my upcoming events today. Direct monitoring of the situation and necessary coordination will be achieved by reaching the site in person,' he tweeted.
CM Patel said that relief and rescue work is going on. Instructions have been given to arrange immediate treatment. I am in constant touch with the district administration.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's Office said that the PM has asked for close monitoring of the situation and delivery of all possible help to the affected persons.
Congress surrounded the BJP: The Congress has surrounded the BJP government on the accident. The Congress said that in the haste of elections, the BJP opened the bridge early for the people. Apart from this, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also called the incident sad.
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