GUJARAT: At least 141 people have died after a British-era bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed on Sunday. As many as 177 have been rescued and search ops are still underway. Several teams of NDRF and personnel of Navy and Air Force have been ordered to be airlifted to the site to help in the rescue efforts and comb the river bed as many people are feared drowned in the 10 feet deep water.
According to sources, around 500 people, including women and children, were on the suspension bridge when the cables supporting it snapped. Many were performing Chhath puja rituals on the 150-year-old bridge located 300 km from Ahmedabad.
Disturbing visuals of people desperately clinging to the remains of the bridge made rounds on social media.
The bridge over Machchhu river had been shut for seven months for repairs. It was reopened to the public on October 26, the Gujarati New Year.
The Gujarat Police files First Information Report under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) in the bridge collapse tragedy. It may be noted that the bridge was reopened without safety certificate and local civic body’s approval.