PremiumMorbi cable bridge collapse: The death toll from the Morbi foot bridge collapse rose to 135 today with search operations entering a third day, although authorities said nearly all those believed to have been missing are now accounted for. Indian army, navy and NDRF teams continued search operations as locals gathered on the banks of the river. Catch all live updates here:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting in Morbi, Gujarat to review the situation in the wake of the unfortunate bridge mishap killing at least 135 people.
Local residents at the scene of the wrecked bridge on Tuesday told Reuters, however, that they believed more than 200 people were on the bridge and fear the death toll could rise further.
The Prime Minister met those who were involved in rescue and relief operations when they mishap-struck Morbi. The search and rescue operation is underway in the Machchhu river.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, visits the Civil Hospital in Morbi to meet the injured in the Morbi bridge collapse incident.
The Oreva company in Gujarat's Ahmedabad has locked their farm after the Morbi bridge in the state collapsed claiming the lives of over 130 people. Oreva is the company that renovated the Morbi bridge.
₹4 lakh each ex-gratia amount will be given to the families of deceased by the state government and ₹2 lakh each from PMNRF. ₹50,000 will be given each to the injured. As many as 17 persons remain hospitalised. Two people remain missing, says Gujarat Disaster Management minister Rajendra Trivedi on Morbi bridge collapse.
Supreme Court agrees to hear on Nov 14 a PIL seeking direction to immediately appoint a judicial commission under the supervision of retired top court judge to initiate probe into the Morbi bridge collapse
With one more injured succumbing at the district hospital a while ago, death toll stands at 135. Total of 14 persons still hospitalised. One person still reported to be missing, search on for him: Morbi District Collector to ANI
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday led the country in mourning the victims of the devastating bridge collapse in Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Morbi in Gujarat today after the cable suspension bridge claimed the lives of at least 132 people, informed the state Chief Minister's office.
The Congress Party demanded a judicial investigation into the Morbi bridge collapse and alleged that prima facie it seems to be a case of "criminal negligence" and "gross misgovernance".
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel today said that a decision has been taken to observe state-wide mourning in the state on 2 November for the deceased in Morbi bridge collapse. “The national flag will be flown at half-mast on govt buildings in the state and no functions/entertainment programs will be held," he wrote on Twitter.
In the backdrop of the collapse of the bridge at Morbi in Gujarat, the West Bengal government on Monday sought the health reports of cable-stayed bridges from the administrations of the districts where they are located.
PM Narendra Modi chaired a high level meeting to review the situation in Morbi, at Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar earlier today. The prime minister was briefed about the ongoing rescue operations at the site. PM Modi once again emphasised on ensuring that those affected get all possible assistance.
Morbi-based clock and e-bike maker Oreva group was given a contract by the Morbi Municipality to repair and operate the ill-fated hanging bridge for 15 years and charge tickets in the range of ₹10 to ₹15 for its use, according to documents of the municipality assessed on Monday. The firm had claimed on 26 October that it had roped in experts for the repair work, adding that the material used was built as per specifications by "specialised firms".
As many as 300 Army personnel have been deployed in the search and rescue operation at the Morbi bridge incident site in which over 130 people lost their lives.
As and when we get evidence, police will nab the accused further. We have also formed a Special Investigation team pertaining to the incident, says Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range.
The FIR says that the incident took place because of the "callous approach" of the agency people. The FIR further stated that persons concerned or agencies did not pay attention to the quality of maintenance as well as repair work of the bridge. The bridge was opened for tourists by the agency despite knowing that their "callous approach" in the maintenance and management of the bridge may lead to human deaths, the FIR stated.
Shops in Morbi remained closed today as the city mourns the death of its people in yesterday's suspension bridge collapse. To pay respects to the deceased, many establishments in Morbi remained closed today, a local was quoted as saying by ANI.
Nine people have been detained and a case has been registered with immediate effect against those responsible in connection with the incident, says Morbi Police. Among those detained were officials of Oreva, the firm that renovated the bridge, ticket sellers and security men, according to reports.
A survivor of Gujarat's Morbi bridge tragedy, while recounting the harrowing moment, on Monday said that some mischievous children were shaking the ropes of the bridge before it came down killing about 132 people and injuring over 100.
Police have registered an FIR on charges of culpable homicide against agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge in Gujarat's Morbi city which collapsed, killing 134 people.
According to a 2020 study 'Analysis of bridge failures in India from 1977 to 2017', published in international journal 'Structure and Infrastructure Engineering', as many as "2,130 bridges" -- excluding culverts and pedestrian bridges -- have failed to provide intended service or collapsed during various phases of construction in the last four decades. Read full report here
“I don’t want to politicise this incident. People have lost lives there. It’s disrespectful for them to do it. I don’t want to do politics on it," says Rahul Gandhi on Morbi cable bridge collapse.
Lok Sabha member from Rajkot Mohan Kundariya today said 12 of his relatives were among those killed in the suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi town. They had gone to visit the picnic spot on Sunday when the tragedy took place, the BJP MP told PTI.
"It is a sad incident. Many people have died. It was an old bridge which was repaired recently. Govt should look into it."
Oreva group, which is under scanner following the collapse of a suspension bridge at Morbi in Gujarat that killed at least 130 people, specialises in CFL bulbs, wall clocks and e-bikes and it is not known how it managed to get the contract to maintain an over 100-year-old bridge.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday expressed grief over a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city and extended his condolences to the victims and their families.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city. The more than a-century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening. Over 130 people have died so far in the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday condoled the deaths in the bridge collapse incident in Gujarat's Morbi city and stated that rescue ops were underway and there would be no laxity in rescue and relief efforts
The death toll in Morbi suspension bridge collapse rose to 134 on Monday, a senior Gujarat police official said, adding that the rescue operation was still underway. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi remained in Morbi during the night to oversee the rescue operation being conducted by multiple agencies.
Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s roadshow in Haryana's Adampur on Monday for the upcoming bypolls has been cancelled in view of the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, a senior party leader said
FIR filed by Morbi B Division Police Insp Prakashbhai Dekavadiya against maintenance and management agencies of the bridge, u/s 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) & 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) IPC
I express my condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the accident. In this hour of grief, Govt is with the bereaved families in every manner. Gujarat Govt is carrying out relief & rescue ops since yesterday. Centre too is extending all help to the State Govt: PM Modi
I am in Ekta Nagar but my mind is with the victims of Morbi. Rarely in my life, would I have experienced such pain. On one hand, there is a pain-riddled heart and on the other hand, there is the path to duty: PM Narendra Modi in Kevadiya, Gujarat
Sir Waghji Thakor, who ruled Morbi till 1922, was inspired by the colonial influence and decided to construct the bridge, an "artistic and technological marvel" of that period, to connect Darbargadh Palace with Nazarbag Palace (the residences of the then royalty). The bridge was 1.25 metres wide and spanned 233 metres, and was meant to give a unique identity to Morbi using the latest technology available in those days in Europe, as per the collectorate website.
“As per the latest information, 132 people lost their lives in the tragedy and two are still missing," Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said. The state information department said that five teams of NDRF, six platoons of SDRF, a team of Air Force, two columns of Army, and two teams of Indian Navy apart from local rescue teams were involved in the operation that continued through the night.
Indian Army teams deployed in Morbi, Gujarat carried out search and rescue operations for survivors of the mishap. All three defence services have deployed their teams for search operations: Defence officials
The committee includes Roads and Buildings department secretary Sandeep Vasava and four other senior officers. An FIR was lodged in the bridge collapse under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional act causing death) and 114 (abettor present when offence committed), against whoever is found responsible
132 deaths have been reported so far: Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi
A criminal case has been registered. An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP: Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Morbi bridge collapse
Everyone worked all through the night. Navy, NDRF, Air Force and Army reached quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night (for search and rescue operations): Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi
Morbi suspension bridge collapse death toll rises to 130, according to a police official,reports PTI
More than 100 deaths have been reported till early morning. Around 177 people have been rescued. 19 people are under treatment. Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, Fire Brigade are conducting search operations: Gujarat Information Department
At least 75 people were killed on Sunday in India after an almost 150-year-old colonial-era pedestrian bridge collapsed, sending scores of people tumbling into the river below.
Authorities said nearly 500 people including women and children were celebrating a religious festival on and around the suspension bridge in Morbi in western India when cables supporting it snapped soon after dark.
The 230-metre bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public last week.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has dispatched five teams on Sunday for a rescue operation after more than 60 people died in a cable bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel met with the injured persons at Morbi Civil Hospital after they were injured in the collapse of the cable bridge.
The Indian Naval Station Valsura in Jamnagar, Gujarat has sent a team of more than 40 personnel for rescue operations including marine commandos and seamen in Morbi after the cable bridge collapsed that claimed lives of over 60 persons, informed the defence officials.
The death toll has risen to 68 till now in Gujarat's Morbi cable bridge collapse that occurred in Gujarat, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi confirmed on Monday.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday held a review meeting soon after a cable bridge collapsed in Gujarat's Morbi on Sunday, claiming the lives of 68 people.
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