India

Over 130 killed as bridge collapses week after renovation in Gujarat

Gujarat bride collapses. [Photo: Twitter: ShivAroor]

Ahmadabad: Over 130 people were killed after a British-era bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed just a week after renovation.

The bridge collapsed at 6.42 this evening when around 500 people had congregated on it to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja.

Rescue teams – including armed forces personnel and those from the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) – were rushed to the site soon after the incident and operations continued overnight. Over 150 people, according to the news agency ANI, have been rescued so far.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is concerned about the Morbi tragedy. He is in constant touch with me and is getting immediate details about the rescue and relief operations and the treatment of the injured,” the Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel said on Sunday night.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi on Monday morning said that at least 132 deaths have been reported so far.

“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),” he was quoted as saying by ANI.

The bridge reopened just last week but it’s not clear if it had a clearance certificate. It was overcrowded at the time of the accident.

“Prime Minister’s Office has extended massive support to carry out the rescue operation. SDRF and Police are already at the site. Cases under section 304, 308, and 114 of IPC have been registered on the management team of the bridge,” Sanghavi was quoted further saying.

 

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