Morbi, Oct 30: More than 60 people, including children, were killed and over 100 were missing as the hanging bridge on the Machhu dam in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening, informed the Gujarat Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja, who is present at the incident spot.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has dispatched three teams to rescue people in the mishap that occurred earlier on Sunday when several people fell into the Machchhu river after a nearly century-old suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi city, NDRF Director General Atul Karwal told ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupender Patel said instructions have been given to the officials to arrange immediate treatment for the injured.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragedy of suspension bridge collapse in Morbi. Relief and rescue operations are ongoing by the system. The system has been instructed to arrange immediate treatment for the injured. I am in constant contact with the district administration in this regard,” the Chief Minister said.
According to local media reports, regular traffic on the cable bridge was restarted five days ago, following a renovation. It is all but certain that the tragedy is going to become a political issue, given upcoming assembly polls in the BJP-run state, with Arvind Kejriwal‘s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) looking to topple the saffron party in PM Narendra Modi‘s home state.
There were about 500 people on the bridge when it collapsed.
PM Narendra Modi also spoke to Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He 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, informed PMO.
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said, “I’ve spoken to Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other state officials. Local administration is engaged in relief work, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. Administration directed to provide immediate treatment to injured.”
Meanwhile, CM Bhupendra Patel will reach the spot after shortening further programs with PM Modi.
–Agency
