Morbi Bridge Accident Update: Death Toll Increasing, Bridge Inauguration Date And History
The Morbi bridge accident shocked everyone after it collapsed, killing at least 141 people.
When the over-a-century-old bridge collapsed around 6.30 pm on Sunday, it had just reopened after extensive repairs and renovations.
A cable suspension bridge in the Gujarat town of Morbi has collapsed, prompting search and rescue efforts.
Morbi Bridge Accident Update: What Happened?
On Sunday, a century-old cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi, killing at least 141 people.
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According to eyewitness Subhas, several women and children were on the suspension bridge when its cables snapped. He stated that they went there to take a walk. There was an unexpected loud noise, and they witnessed people drowning in the river, the majority of whom were women and children.
“I’ve dragged eight people out of the river so far,” he said. According to another eyewitness, some people were seen jumping on the bridge and pulling its large wires.
Rescue efforts are still ongoing, according to Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja, and the injured have been transported to a hospital.
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How Did The Bridge Collapse? Reason Revealed
Overcrowding, according to Road and Building Department Minister Jagdish Panchal, was the primary cause of the accident. He revealed that the bridge appeared to have collapsed because there were far too many people on it at the same time, far exceeding its capacity.
While Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia claimed at least 100 people were on the bridge when it collapsed, Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat Minister of State for Home, put the figure at 150.
Over 40 people were rescued, but another 60 were still missing. 5-10 people were hanging from the bridge and were also rescued.
Later, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was activated. Three teams have already been dispatched to assist in rescue operations, according to NDRF Director General Atul Karwal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat for a three-day visit ahead of the Assembly elections, spoke with the chief minister and other officials about the incident. He attempted to quicken rescue efforts. The state government appointed a five-member panel to investigate the tragedy.
According to officials, a Gujarat State Disaster Response Force team stationed near Morbi was the first to arrive at the accident site. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the deceased’s close relatives and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Morbi Bridge Inauguration Date And History
Jhulto Pul [gu] is a 230-meter (750-foot) pedestrian suspension bridge constructed during British rule in India in the nineteenth century. It was opened on February 20, 1879.
The bridge is a European-style structure built by the Maharaja of Morbi Waghji Thakor, who was given the title “Night Commander of the State of India” by Queen Victoria 125 years ago. It measures 765 feet long, 4.6 feet wide, and rises 60 feet above the ground.
The bridge had been closed for two years prior to the incident and was scheduled to reopen on October 26, 2022, on the occasion of the Gujarati New Year.
Before the suspension bridge reopened on October 26, a private operator had worked for nearly six months on extensive repairs.
Party leader Rahul Gandhi and congress President Mallikarjun Kharge have appealed to their Gujarat cadre to lend all possible assistance in the Morbi rescue effort.
The bridge was owned by Morbi municipality, which signed a maintenance and operations contract with the private trust Oreva a few months ago. The bridge collapsed four days after it opened.
The bridge collapsed on October 30, 2022, at 6:40 pm, with hundreds of people on it at the time. A total of 135 people were reported dead, with over 180 people rescued and many more still missing.
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