In a tragic Gujarat Bridge Collapse incident, approximately 141 people lost their lives and several others were seriously injured.

On the 30th of October, a 150 year old Morbi Bridge collapsed, after cables supporting it snapped sending people crashing into the river below.  The Gujarat Police, the National Disaster Rescue Force, the State Disaster Rescue Force and other officials launched a rescue operation and saved as many as 177 people.  Search for many feared to be trapped is underway.

According to sources, approximately 500 people are suspected to be on the bridge, which collapsed, on Sunday, the 30th of October.  In addition, the incident occurred when many people were performing ‘Chhath Puja’ rituals at one of the oldest bridges, located over the Macchhu River collapsed.  Approximately 300 km from Vadodara, Gujarat, the bridge was shut since the past seven months for some repair works which was reopened recently on the Gujarati New Year, on the 26th of October.  It has been functioning since then and witnessed a massive crowd for Chhath Puja, which started on the 29th of October.  If sources are to be believed, after the said repair work, the bridge reopened without clearing the safety certificate, causing a major accident.

Meanwhile, expressing condolences to the families who lost their kin,  Mr. Brijesh Merja, the Minister for Labour and Employment in Gujarat, on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Gujarat Government took responsibility of the bridge collapse incident.  In a media interview, Mr. Brijesh Meraj said, “Renovation happened last week. We are also shocked. We are looking into the matter… The government takes responsibility for this tragedy.”

In addition, Mr. Harsh Sanghvi, the Home Minister of Gujarat said, “A case has been registered under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and intentional act causing death against whoever is found responsible.” 

Furthermore, the State Government also formed a five member committee for a probe into the matter.   The State Government also announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakhs to the family members of each of those who died in the accident and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.

Meanwhile, Mr. Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, is also in Gujarat and reviewing the rescue operation.  He also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs to the families, whose kin died in the tragic accident.

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