The death toll has exceeded 140 as a result of a cable bridge collapse in India’s western state of Gujarat, plunging hundreds of people into the water, officials have said, APA reports citing TASS.
177 people were rescued during the operations, while 19 were seriously injured.
***07:37
About 132 people have died, while more than 100 others have been admitted and are under treatment after a colonial-era cable bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi town on Sunday evening, plunging over 350 people into the river, APA reports citing The Hindu.
According to Morbi legislator and the State government minister Brijesh Merja, the number will likely go up significantly.
The State government has officially not given any casualty figure, but the Prime Minister and Chief Minister have announced the ex-gratia for the dead and for the injured.
ANI reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to cancel his roadshow to be held in Ahmedabad.
According to The Hindu’s sources there is also a possibility of PM Modi visiting Morbi today.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited Morbi city in the State on Sunday night and took stock of the ongoing rescue operation.
Several teams of NDRF and personnel of Navy and Air Force have been ordered to be airlifted to the site to help in the rescue efforts and comb the river bed as many people are feared drowned in the 10 feet deep water.
The authorities have launched a rescue operation amidst chaos at the site after the colonial era bridge was reopened after the repair and renovation on October 26th.
It has also emerged that the bridge was reopened after the repair work done by a private trust and fitness certificate was not submitted to the local civic body while reopening it.
*** 30.10.2022
21.47
At least 90 people have died, while more than a 100 other have been admitted and are under treatment a colonial era cable bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi town on Sunday evening, APA reports citing The Hindu.
Over 350 people plunged into the river.
According to Morbi legislator and the State government minister Brijesh Merja, the number will likely go up significantly.
***20.40
At least 40 people were killed when a pedestrian bridge in the western Indian state of Gujarat collapsed, plunging hundreds of people into a river, a state minister said, APA reports citing Reuters.
More than 400 people were on the suspension bridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi at the time of the collapse, local TV channel Zee News said.
TV footage showed dozens of people clinging onto the cables and twisted remains of the collapsed bridge as emergency teams struggled to rescue them. Some clambered up them to try to make their way to the river banks, while others swam to safety.
"At least 40 people have died so far and 30 others were injured," said Brijesh Merja, a minister and lawmaker from Morbi. "Casualties may rise as rescue operations are ongoing."
The 230-metre historic 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.
Officials said the victims are mostly local people who were visiting the bridge for recreational purposes.
Morbi is one of the largest ceramic manufacturing clusters in the world and accounts for more than 80% of India's ceramic output.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state Gujarat for a three-day visit, said he had directed the state chief minister to mobilise teams urgently for the rescue operation.
The incident comes ahead of elections in Gujarat, which are expected to be held by the year-end with the current term of the Modi's ruling party's term ending in February, 2023.
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