Gujarat: At Least 80 Dead, Several Injured As Bridge Collapses In Morbi, CM Patel Reaches Incident Site

As per initial reports, the cable bridge was restarted three days back after renovation.

Rescue operation underway after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed, in Morbi district (Source: PTI)

New Delhi: As many as 80 people were killed and several injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi on Sunday evening, minister Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya said as reported by news agency ANI.

Watch: गुजरात के मोरबी पुल हादसे को लेकर बड़ी खबर, जानें ताजा अपडेट @upadhyayabhii | @Sheerin_sherry | @RonakABPAsmita | https://t.co/p8nVQWGCTx #BreakingNews #Gujarat #Morbi #CableBridgeCollapsed pic.twitter.com/LILguJsSJc

— ABP News (@ABPNews) October 30, 2022

As per initial reports, the cable bridge was restarted three days back after renovation. According to reports, more than 400 people fell into the river after the bridge collapsed. Currently, rescue operations are underway. Two NDRF teams are being airlifted from Vadodara airport to Rajkot airport, NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahidi said. Earlier, three NDRF teams were dispatched -- two from Gandhinagar and one from Baroda -- to assist in the rescue operation, DG NDRF Atul Karwal said. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also reached the incident spot.

Watch: मोरबी पुल हादसे को लेकर उठ रहे कई सवाल ?, कौन हादसे का जिम्मेदार @upadhyayabhii | @Sheerin_sherry | @RonakABPAsmita | https://t.co/p8nVQWGCTx #BreakingNews #Gujarat #Morbi #CableBridgeCollapsed pic.twitter.com/P4lIwDK7hd

— ABP News (@ABPNews) October 30, 2022

According to the ANI report, IAF plane with NDRF team has taken off for relief operations. Another aircraft will be sent in an hour’s time. Helicopters have been put on stand-by in Jamnagar and other nearby locations. Garud commandos have also been sent from Bhuj and other locations.

#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi area today

PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022

As per eyewitnesses, there were several women and children on the British era “hanging bridge” when it snapped, plunging them into the water below. Some people were seen jumping on the bridge and pulling its wires, an eyewitness said. The bridge may have collapsed due to the “huge crowd” on it, he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat ahead of the Assembly elections, spoke to Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and sought urgent mobilisation of teams for the rescue operations. Prime Minister's Office in a tweet wrote, "PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM 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."

PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp 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.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 30, 2022

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.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 30, 2022

Taking to Twitter, CM Patel said instructions have been given to 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 underway 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 CM tweeted. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote in Hindi, "I am deeply saddened by the accident in Morbi. I have spoken to Harsh Sanghvi, Minister of State for Home and other officials of Gujarat in this matter. Local administration is engaged in relief work, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. The administration has been directed to provide immediate treatment to the injured."

मोरबी में हुए हादसे से अत्यंत दुखी हूँ। इस विषय में मैंने गुजरात के गृह राज्य मंत्री हर्ष संघवी व अन्य अधिकारियों से बात की है। स्थानीय प्रशासन पूरी तत्परता से राहत कार्य में लगा है, NDRF भी शीघ्र घटनास्थल पर पहुँच रही है। प्रशासन को घायलों को तुरंत उपचार देने के निर्देश दिए हैं।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) October 30, 2022

गुजरात के मोरबी में हुए पुल हादसे की खबर बेहद दुःखद है। ऐसे मुश्किल समय में मैं सभी शोकाकुल परिवारों को अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएं व्यक्त करता हूं।

सभी कांग्रेस कार्यकर्ताओं से अपील करता हूं कि दुर्घटना में घायल व्यक्तियों की हर संभव सहायता करें और लापता लोगों की तलाश में मदद करें।

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 30, 2022

As per reports, ambulances have reached the accident spot to carry the injured to hospitals. 

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 on October 26.