New Delhi: Sunday leisure time turned fatal after a century-old suspension bridge over Machchu river collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi district claiming the lives of 134 people including women and children. Footage has surfaced just before the incident took place which shows the suspension bridge shaking a bit before the cable ties holding the bridge snapped taking everyone on the bridge in the river water.
The footage showed the bridge being overcrowded and some people even trying to shake the bridge even more. Right after one end of the bridge collapsed and all the people over the bridge fell into the river.
Below is the footage of the incident. Visuals can be distressing.
Rajkot range Inspector General Ashok Yadav told ABP News that 134 dead bodies have been recovered and there are no reports of anyone missing and added that the search and rescue operations will be completed by today evening.
Earlier in the day, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi held a media briefing and said that a criminal case has been registered against the agency which looked after the operation of the bridge and “investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range Inspector General of Police,” quoted by the news agency ANI.
He also informed that a high power committee has been constituted by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is the state in Kevadia on the occasion of Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) grieved the loss of lives in the tragic incident.
BJP MP from Rajkot, Mohan Kundariya’s 12 family members also died in the mishap, sources told ABP News. Among the deceased were Kundariya's sister, members of her in-law's family which included children as well.
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba extended his condolences to the Government of India and people of India.
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“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of precious lives. Our thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families,” he said, quoted by news agency ANI.
The Singapore High Commission to India, Simon Wong also mourned the loss of lives.
“Deeply saddened by loss of many lives due to collapse of cable bridge in Morbi, Guj. Our thoughts & deepest condolences to family & friends of the deceased & injured. Our hearts are with people of Gujarat,” Wong said.