Ahmedabad,
A suspension bridge was constructed across the Machu River in Morbi, Gujarat.
The bridge is about 100 years old. The work of repairing the dilapidated bridge was going on for the last 6 months. After the completion of all the works, the bridge was opened for public use on 26th Gujarati New Year day.
In this situation, a large number of tourists gathered on the bridge at 6.30 pm yesterday which was a holiday. A large number of men, women and children had gathered.
Unable to support their weight, the bridge suddenly collapsed. Subsequently, many people standing on the bridge fell into the river.
On hearing the information, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDF) immediately rushed to rescue operations. Constituency MLA and Minister Brijesh Merja said that some were rescued and admitted to the hospital.
He said that some people who fell into the river survived by holding on to the wire and that the accident was caused by the large crowd.
State police DGP said that around 100 people were on the bridge when the bridge collapsed and 40 of them who fell into the river have been rescued. Ashish Bhatia said.
60 of those who fell into the river drowned. Most of them seem to be women and children. The search for the other drowned people is going on intensively. So it was reported that the death toll could rise further.
Meanwhile, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that the death toll in the bridge collapse has risen to 68.
Speaking to the media in this regard, he said, “Currently the death toll is 68. Rescue operations are going on and I will announce the death toll soon. A case has been registered against the management committee under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). According to the management committee of the bridge, IPC 304, Cases have been registered under Sections 308 and 114,” Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said.
Prime Minister Modi, who heard about the accident earlier, contacted Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and inquired about the situation. He asked for immediate mobilization of teams for rescue operations.
He urged them to monitor the situation closely and extend all assistance to the victims. It seems that Prime Minister Modi, who is camping in Gujarat, is likely to visit the scene in person. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also contacted Bhupendra Patel and spoke.
Prime Minister Modi has announced that the families of the victims will be given Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund and Rs 50 thousand each to the injured.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has said that the families of the victims of the incident will be given Rs. 4 lakh each and Rs. 50 thousand each to the injured.