New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Morbi city in Gujarat today where the tragic incident of a bridge collapse happened on Sunday evening. The Gujarat Chief Minister’s Office had announced on Monday that PM Modi will visit Morbi on Tuesday afternoon. A century-old suspension bridge over Machcu river in Gujarat’s Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening claiming the lives of 134 people.
Modi, who is on a visit to Gujarat, paid tributes to those who died in Sunday's bridge collapse.
"I am in Kevadia, but my heart goes out to those who died in the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy," the prime minister said.
Nine people were arrested on Monday evening in connection with the incident, including officials from watch manufacturer Oreva, who was tasked with the renovation of the bridge. Among those arrested include two managers, two repair contractors, three security guards and two ticket sellers, sources told ABP News.
An FIR has been registered on charges of culpable homicide against agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge.
PM Chairs High Level Meeting
On Monday, Prime Minister Modi chaired a high level meeting at Raj Bhawan in Gandhinagar to review the situation in Morbi. He was briefed on the rescue and relief operations that are underway ever since the mishap occurred in Morbi.
The high level meeting was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Minister of State Home Harsh Sanghavi, the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Gujarat along with other top officials including from the Home Department of the State and Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority.
Biden, Putin Mourn Deaths
United States President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday led the country in mourning the victims of the devastating bridge collapse in Gujarat.
“Today, our hearts are with India. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the bridge collapse and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of too many lives cut short,” Biden said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin aslo extended his condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city.
In a message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi which was published on the Kremlin website on Monday, Putin said, “Dear Ms President, dear Mr Prime Minister, please accept my heartfelt condolences over the tragic bridge collapse in the state of Gujarat.” Putin also conveyed his words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and wished all those injured a speedy recovery, state-owned TASS news agency reported.
Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba also grieved the loss of lives in tragic Morbi bridge collapse incident.
“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.