Eyewitnesses said that there were several women, children and others on the hanging bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below
Due to the Diwali vacation and being a Sunday, there was a rush of tourists on the bridge, a major tourist attraction
Morbi:
At least 60 persons were killed after a nearly century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening, officials said.
There was a rush of people on the bridge, which was reopened for the public just four days back following the renovation work, when it snapped around 6.30 pm, they said.
Gujarat minister Brijesh Merja confirmed that around 60 people have died in the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses said that there were several women, children and others on the hanging bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below.
Due to the Diwali vacation and being a Sunday, there was a rush of tourists on the bridge, a major tourist attraction.
A private operator had carried out the repair work of the bridge for nearly six months before it was reopened to the public on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26.
A fire department official said that boats were being used to rescue people from the river.
“We are carrying out rescue work using boats. There are around 40-50 people in the river,” the official said.
In a tweet, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said he was saddened by the tragedy.
“Relief and rescue operations by the administration are going on. The administration has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant contact with the district administration in this regard,” he said.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a tweet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Gujarat, spoke to CM Patel and officials regarding the mishap.
“He (PM Modi) has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected,” the PMO said.
3 NDRF teams rushed to spot, another to be airlifted
The National Disaster Response Force has rushed three teams to Gujarat’s Morbi district where at least 32 people were killed after a suspension bridge over a river collapsed.
NDRF Director General (DG) Atul Karwal told PTI that the three teams have been moved from state capital Gandhinagar and Vadodara.
Another team will be airlifted in some time and it will move via road from Rajkot to the accident site, he said.
The teams comprise senior officers and rescuers, and they are carrying the required equipment, Karwal said.
PTI