In one of the major mishaps in recent history in India, at least 134 people lost their lives while dozens are still missing in the bridge collapse that took place in Gujarat's Morbi on Sunday evening. Of the 134 casualties, 56 were children, 34 were women, and the rest were men. The youngest of the children to die in the mishap was 2 years old. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, is chairing a high-level meeting on the tragedy.
The search and rescue operation at the Machchhu river to fish out the missing people was called off on day 2 and will resume on Tuesday. Scores of injured are receiving treatment at the Morbi government hospital.
Morbi disaster: 134 dead, scores still missing, search op called off - 10 points
Here are the top 10 developments in the accident:
- A century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening at around 6:30 pm, killing at least 134 people. The bridge, which reopened four days ago after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with over 400 people which the officials are citing as the reason for the collapse.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation in Morbi. Official sources said that at the meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar, the PM was briefed on the rescue and relief operations that have been underway ever since the accident. All aspects relating to the tragedy were discussed. The Prime Minister emphasised ensuring that those affected get all possible assistance. PM Narendra Modi is likely to visit Morbi bridge collapse site on Tuesday.
- As per the inputs from the ground, scores of people are still missing and the death toll is likely to shoot up. Unconfirmed reports say that at least 100 more people are yet to be accounted for.
- Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, who reached the site of the accident on Sunday, said over 70 people are receiving treatment at the hospital. The rescue operation was carried out at the river by teams of Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, and Fire Brigade deployed at the site.
- The Morbi government hospital has released a list of 99 deceased but has not mentioned the age of the victims. Medical officials informed that most of the deceased are children.
- The Gujarat government has meanwhile constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter. Municipalities Commissioner Rajkumar Beniwal will head the probe panel. The police have also registered a complaint against the cable bridge contractor and manager.
- Police have registered an FIR on charges of culpable homicide and arrested nine people including officials of the agencies given the task of maintenance and operation of the bridge. Morbi Municipality's chief officer Sandeepsinh Zala told reporters that the city-based clocks and e-bike maker Oreva Group was given the contract for the renovation and operation of the bridge.
- In the First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Morbi 'B' division police station on Sunday night, police have shown "agencies responsible for maintenance and management of the hanging bridge" as the main accused, along with others whose names emerge during the course of investigation. The case was registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide).
- Morbi Superintendent of Police (SP) Rahul Tripathi said some people have been called for preliminary questioning after the registration of the FIR on Sunday night. Denying reports, he said that no one was arrested or detained so far in connection with the bridge collapse incident.
- The British-era bridge was opened to the public after a spree of 7 months on October 26, ahead of Chhath Puja. Eyewitnesses said people were seen jumping on the bridge when it snapped, plunging them into the water below. Many who survived the fall were later spotted struggling to swim out of the river. Darkness had become an obstruction in the rescue operation that lasted throughout the night.
