The century-old cable suspension bridge, which had reopened five days ago after extensive repairs and renovation for seven monnths, collapsed into the river, sending hundreds plunging in the water. The incident took place at 6.30 pm on Sunday.
Follow Morbi Live Updates: Rescue operation still under way
Collapsed Morbi suspension bridge lacked ‘fitness’ certificate
Despite months of repair work, the suspension bridge had not received the municipality’s ‘fitness certificate’. “The bridge was given to Oreva company for operation and maintenance for 15 years. In March this year, it was closed for the public for renovation. It reopened after renovation on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26,” Morbi Municipality’s chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala said.
As per its description on the district collectorate website, the ‘engineering marvel’ built at the turn of the 19th century was said to reflect ‘the progressive and scientific nature of the rulers of Morbi.’ 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.
Some youths shook suspension bridge
In a video that has gone viral on social media, some youngsters can be seen kicking the ropes of the bridge and shaking it to scare other tourists and making it difficult for people to walk.
A visitor Vijay Goswami recalled the incident and said, “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.”
Gujarat forms high-power probe committee
Gujarat government on Monday announced that a high-powered committee has been set up to investigate the incident of the collapse. Teams including Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF and Fire Brigade conducted a search operation throughout the night to find the victims who fell into the Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, as per officials.
Indian Army teams carried out search and rescue operations for survivors of the mishap. All three defence services have deployed their teams for search operations. Three Indian Coast Guard teams consisting of divers, equipment, boats and other material have been deployed on-site at Morbi since last night, said Defence Ministry officials.
Around 40 doctors from various health centres, Rajkot PDU Hospital and Surendranagar Civil Hospital started emergency treatment of the injured at the Morbi Civil Hospital. After the collapse of the bridge, the Rajkot Municipal Corporation boat and rescue materials including life jackets reached Morbi and started the rescue operation.
Emergency ambulances from Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh Metropolitan Municipality and Morbi Municipality were running throughout the night to bring the injured to the hospital immediately. Several private ambulances were also involved in the rescue operation. Army team from Surendranagar joined with its three ambulances and equipment, informed the officials.
With elections in the state expected in the coming months, opposition parties demanded an investigation into the collapse, saying that the bridge was reopened without getting safety clearance from the city’s civic body.
PHOTOS: Morbi suspension bridge collapse death toll mounts to 132
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel meets injured persons at Morbi Civil Hospital
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.
Expressing condolences to families of those who lost their lives, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Watch: Moments before Morbi suspension bridge collapse that killed at least 130
President, PM express grief over deaths in Gujarat bridge collapse
Expressing sadness, Modi, in a tweet said he has spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and officials. “Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided,” the prime minister said.
His office announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the families of each of those who died in the incident and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost… https://t.co/Ab6yegLddG
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) 1667139878000
President Murmu, in a tweet, said, “The tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat has left me worried. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. Relief and rescue efforts will bring succour to the victims.”
The tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat has left me worried. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. Relief and… https://t.co/5WuXjdrH88
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 1667142154000
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed sadness at the incident in Morbi. In a tweet, he said that he has spoken to the home minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, and other officials in this matter.
मोरबी में हुए हादसे से अत्यंत दुखी हूँ। इस विषय में मैंने गुजरात के गृह राज्य मंत्री हर्ष संघवी व अन्य अधिकारियों… https://t.co/N4UEXF1yaj
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) 1667140497000
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose Aam Aadmi Party is making an all-out effort to dislodge BJP from power in the poll-bound state, tweeted, “Very sad news coming from Gujarat. Many people are reported to have fallen into the river after a bridge collapsed in Morbi. I pray to god for everybody’s life and well-being.”
गुजरात से बेहद दुःखद खबर मिल रही है। मोरबी में ब्रिज टूट जाने से कई लोगों के नदी में गिर जाने की खबर है। भगवान से उ… https://t.co/87EwkT7FvZ
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 1667138753000
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders and workers of the party taking part in the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ here observed a two-minute silence in memory of those killed in the Morbi suspension bridge tragedy in Gujarat.
Bharat Yatris paid floral tributes to Sardar Patel & Indira Gandhi and observed 2 minute silence to pay respect tho… https://t.co/Lr6cD4FMFQ
— Congress (@INCIndia) 1667179800000
PM Modi cancels road show, page committee sammelan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, , who is in his home state of Gujarat on a three-day visit, has decided to cancel his roadshow to be held in Ahmedabad on Monday in the wake of the bridge collapse incident.
BJP Gujarat media convenor Dr Yagnesh Dave said that there shall be no programs of celebration to be held in the wake of the Morbi tragedy where many are feared dead, including women, children, and the elderly. However the official programmes including PM to lay foundation stone of C-295 Aircraft facility and the programme to dedicate Railway projects worth 2900cr will be as per schedule.
#WATCH | #GujaratDrones being used to help in the search and rescue operation in Morbi, following the incident of… https://t.co/xOaAOkqJ1l
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) 1667187936000
Third Asian tragedy in a month
The bridge collapse is Asia’s third major disaster involving large crowds in a month.
On Saturday, a Halloween crowd surge killed more than 150 mostly young people who attended festivities in Itaewon, a neighborhood in Seoul, South Korea.
On Oct. 1, police in Indonesia fired tear gas at a soccer match, causing a crush that killed 132 people as spectators attempted to flee.