Morbi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Morbi in Gujarat on Tuesday after the cable suspension bridge claimed the lives of over 130 people.
At least 134 people, including women and children, were killed and over 100 are receiving treatment for their injuries sustained after a cable suspension bridge in Morbi town collapsed on Sunday, plunging people into the Machchhu River.
Prime Minister Modi, in Kevadia, said that rescue operations were underway and there would be no laxity in rescue and relief efforts.
“The Gujarat Government has been carrying out relief and rescue operations since Sunday evening. Centre too is extending all help to the State Government,” PM Modi said.
UPDATES
- Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range confirmed that nine people have been arrested by the police and the investigation is underway.
- He further added “Among the nine people arrested there are two managers of Oreva company, two ticket clerks along with two contractors and three security guards for negligence.”
- A Special Investigation team has also been formed by the police.
- Sandeepsinh Zala, Morbi Municipality’s chief officer said that the city-based clocks and e-bike maker Oreva Group were given the contract for the renovation.
- Cases of IPC 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) have been registered.
- Rahul Tripathi, SP Morbi said that ” We have held a couple of people from the management and are questioning them.”
- Teams of Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF, and Fire Brigade conducted a search and rescue operation throughout the night to find the Garkaw victims in Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, as per officials.
- After the incident, Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Minister of State for Home Affairs Harshbhai Sanghvi, Minister Brijeshbhai Merja, and Minister of State Shri Arvindbhai Raiyani reached the incident spot at midnight and personally observed the rescue operation and gave directions.
- According to the details from the district administration, after the mishap, the system was immediately activated and rescue operations started with the help of locals.
- Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupender Patel claimed that an immediate rescue operation has been initiated with emergency treatment for the injured.
- He further took to Twitter and added, “I’m reaching Gandhinagar after shortening further programs with PM. MoS Home has been asked to reach the spot and guide the rescue operations. Troops including SDRF have been mobilized for rescue operations.”
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoken to Gujarat’s CM over the incident. The Prime Minister’s Office took to Twitter and added “He has sought urgent mobilization of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected.
- PM Modi had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.