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141 dead in Gujarat bridge collapse; rescue operation still on

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Amrutha Pagad
Amrutha PagadOct 31, 2022 | 09:23

141 dead in Gujarat bridge collapse; rescue operation still on

Tragedy struck Gujarat's Morbi when a century old suspension bridge collapsed. Photo: AP

In Gujarat's Morbi (around 65 km from Rajkot), the "hanging bridge" or "Jhoolta Pul" has been standing for 143 years. Built in the 19th century by the British, it had been a small tourist attraction for visitors to the place. But on October 30, Sunday, the bridge gave away and took down over 100 people with it. 

  • The tragedy took place when several people from nearby areas had flocked to Morbi to enjoy their Diwali vacation. 
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Moments before the collapse: CCTV footage captured the moment the bridge collapsed:

The latest: The suspension bridge collapse in Morbi has so far claimed 141 lives. Rescue operations are currently underway. Local media reported that there were as many as 500 people on the bridge when it collapsed into the Machchhu river beneath. 

  • Reportedly, a few youngsters were intentionally shaking the bridge while the bridge was crowded. 
  • Vijay Goswami and his family who avoided the tragedy narrated this experience: 
There was a huge crowd on the bridge. My family and I were on the bridge when some youths started shaking it intentionally. It was impossible for people to stand without holding any support. Since I had a feeling that it may prove dangerous, my family and I came back after covering some distance on the bridge.
- Vijay Goswami told reporters after reaching Ahmedabad
  • Goswami also claimed that he complained to the staff but they ignored their warnings.
  • The injured and victims have been rushed to Morbi civil hospital where doctors were reported to be overwhelmed by the sudden influx of patients. 
  • Those who survived are frantically looking for their kin; in some cases, surviving children are unable to find their parents and in other cases, parents are crying for the dead children.
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Rescue operations: Three Indian Coast Guard teams have been deployed at the site of the accident in Morbi since last night. 

  • The teams include divers, boats, and other equipment necessary for rescue ops. 
  • Moreover, NDRF personnel, the Indian Navy, IAF, and Fire Brigade teams have also been deployed.
  • Search is underway at Machchhu river to find survivors. 

What happened? The suspension bridge was reportedly renovated and opened for visitors just 5 days ago.

  • Questions are being raised about whether required clearance was given to the contractor before the bridge was reopened.
  • Reportedly, the contractors reopened the bridge without a "fitness certificate" from the local corporation.

Photos: (Source: AP, PTI)

 

Political response: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the kin of victims and promised an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

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  • PM Modi also canceled his road show and page committee sammelan due to the tragedy in Morbi.
  • However, PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are participating in National Unity Day at Kevadiya, Gujarat. 
  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said that the state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured. 
  • Bhupendra Patel also rushed to the accident site yesterday to take note of the situation. Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi is also present at the site. 

  • On the other hand, political opponents are raising questions about whether the BJP government in Gujarat hastened the reopening of the bridge due to the upcoming assembly elections in the state and the model code of conduct. 

Fake news alert: A video of the bridge in Morbi with a few people shaking the wires of the bridge is going viral claiming to have been shot moments before the Sunday tragedy. However, this video is not a recent one and is fake

For the survivors and witnesses, the tragedy brings back horrible memories of the 1979 Machchhu dam collapse. The flooding caused by the collapse of the dam had killed over a thousand people. 

Last updated: October 31, 2022 | 15:03
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