Gujarat Bridge Tragedy: PM Modi Chairs High-Level Meeting. State Mourning On November 2

Morbi Bridge Collapse: On Sunday, a suspension bridge in Gujarat's Morbi region collapsed, killing over 140 people, making it one of the biggest disasters in recent memory.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a high level meeting to review situation in Morbi, in Ahmedabad ( Image Source :PTI )

Gujarat will observe state-wide mourning on November 2 following the death of over 130 people in a bridge collapse in Morbi district and the national flag would be flown at half-mast on government buildings, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel tweeted on Monday. The announcement was made after Patel attended a high-level meeting at Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the situation in Morbi.

"Gujarat will observe state-wide mourning for those killed in the Morbi Bridge collapse," Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated. 

"The national flag will be flown at half-mast on government buildings in the state on November 2 and no government public functions, receptions or entertainment programs will be held," the CM tweeted. 

2 નવેમ્બરે રાજ્યમાં સરકારી ઇમારતો પર રાષ્ટ્રધ્વજ અડધી કાઠીએ રાખવામાં આવશે તેમજ કોઈ સરકારી જાહેર સમારંભો, સત્કાર સમારોહ કે મનોરંજન કાર્યક્રમો યોજાશે નહીં.

— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) October 31, 2022

The Prime Minister was briefed on the rescue and relief efforts that have been ongoing since the terrible tragedy in Morbi. All facets of the tragedy were explored. According to a PMO announcement, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of ensuring that individuals affected receive all necessary help.

“Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation in Morbi at the Raj Bhavan, Gandhinagar," an official release said.

Gujarat Chief Minister BhupendraBhai Patel, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat Chief Secretary and DGP, and other top officials from the state's Home Department and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority attended the high-level meeting.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Morbi tomorrow. 

At least 134 people, including women and children, were killed and another 100 were injured when a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed into the Machhu River on Sunday.

The Prime Minister already stated that there will be no slack in rescue and relief operations.

The Gujarat government has formed a five-member committee to investigate the bridge collapse tragedy.

Nine people have been arrested in connection with the Morbi bridge collapse, including officials from Oreva, the firm that reconstructed the bridge, ticket dealers, and security guards.

(With Inputs From Agencies)