Nearly 80 die as suspension bridge collapses over Gujarat's Machchhu river, several missing

AHMEDABAD: Nearly 80 people were declared dead after a century-old cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi on Sunday. The bridge was opened for the public just five days ago after extensive renovation, officials said.

“Following the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. Some of them died; the injured have been shifted to hospital. Rescue operations are still underway,” Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja said.

Eyewitness Subhas said there were several women and children on the suspension bridge when its cables snapped. “We came here for a walk. Suddenly there was a loud noise. We saw people drowning in the river, most of them were women and children. I’ve dragged out eight persons from the river so far,” he said. Some people were seen jumping on the bridge and pulling its big wires, another eyewitness said.

#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi area today

PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022

Road and Building Department Minister Jagdish Panchal blamed the accident prima facie on overcrowding. “The bridge seems to have collapsed as too many people were on it at the same time, far exceeding its capacity,” he said.

While Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia claimed there were at least 100 people on the bridge when it collapsed, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi put the figure at 150.

“Around 40 were rescued and 60 were still missing. Some 5-10 were hanging on the bridge and were also rescued,” Bhatia said.

The bridge collapsed around 6.30 pm following which officials and ambulances were rushed to the spot.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was later deployed. NDRF director general Atul Karwal said three teams have already been dispatched to assist in rescue operations.

“Three NDRF teams have already been dispatched — two from Gandhinagar and one from Baroda — to assist in the rescue operation,” Karwal said.

Officials said a Gujarat State Disaster Response Force team stationed close to Morbi was the first to reach the accident site. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat ahead of Assembly elections, spoke to the chief minister and other officials regarding the mishap. He sought to expedite rescue operations. The state government formed a five-member panel to probe the tragedy.

Its members are Rajkumar Beniwal, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner; K M Patel, chief engineer (quality control) in the road and building department in Gandhinagar; Dr Gopal Tank, head of the department of structural engineering at LD Engineering College; Sandip Vasava, secretary, road and housing ministry; and Subhash Trivedi, CID (crime) Inspector General.

I am deeply anguished by the tragic news coming from Morbi, Gujarat. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. May the injured recover soon.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 30, 2022

A private operator had carried out extensive repairs for nearly six months before the suspension bridge was reopened on October 26. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to their cadre in Gujarat to extend all possible assistance in rescue work at Morbi.

Built by Morbi maharaja
The bridge is a European-style structure built by the Maharaja of Morbi Waghji Thakor, who was awarded “Night commander of the state of India” by Queen Victoria 125 years ago. It is 765 ft long, 4.6 ft wide and 60 ft above the ground.

Artistic, tech marvel
Waghji Thakor ruled Morbi till 1922. He decided to construct the bridge, an artistic and technological marvel of that period, to connect Darbargadh Palace with Nazarbag Palace (the residences of the then royalty)

AHMEDABAD: Nearly 80 people were declared dead after a century-old cable bridge collapsed on the Machchhu river in Gujarat’s Morbi on Sunday. The bridge was opened for the public just five days ago after extensive renovation, officials said. “Following the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. Some of them died; the injured have been shifted to hospital. Rescue operations are still underway,” Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja said. Rescue operation underway after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed, in Morbi district on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 | PTI Eyewitness Subhas said there were several women and children on the suspension bridge when its cables snapped. “We came here for a walk. Suddenly there was a loud noise. We saw people drowning in the river, most of them were women and children. I’ve dragged out eight persons from the river so far,” he said. Some people were seen jumping on the bridge and pulling its big wires, another eyewitness said. #WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi area today PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI — ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022 Road and Building Department Minister Jagdish Panchal blamed the accident prima facie on overcrowding. “The bridge seems to have collapsed as too many people were on it at the same time, far exceeding its capacity,” he said. a person being rescued from the river | PTIWhile Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia claimed there were at least 100 people on the bridge when it collapsed, state Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi put the figure at 150. “Around 40 were rescued and 60 were still missing. Some 5-10 were hanging on the bridge and were also rescued,” Bhatia said. The bridge collapsed around 6.30 pm following which officials and ambulances were rushed to the spot. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was later deployed. NDRF director general Atul Karwal said three teams have already been dispatched to assist in rescue operations. “Three NDRF teams have already been dispatched — two from Gandhinagar and one from Baroda — to assist in the rescue operation,” Karwal said. Officials said a Gujarat State Disaster Response Force team stationed close to Morbi was the first to reach the accident site. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Gujarat ahead of Assembly elections, spoke to the chief minister and other officials regarding the mishap. He sought to expedite rescue operations. The state government formed a five-member panel to probe the tragedy. An injured being treated at a hospital, after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed, in Morbi district | PTI ALSO READ | 20-year-old bridge collapses, 40 villages lose link to Kagaznagar town Its members are Rajkumar Beniwal, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner; K M Patel, chief engineer (quality control) in the road and building department in Gandhinagar; Dr Gopal Tank, head of the department of structural engineering at LD Engineering College; Sandip Vasava, secretary, road and housing ministry; and Subhash Trivedi, CID (crime) Inspector General. I am deeply anguished by the tragic news coming from Morbi, Gujarat. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being. May the injured recover soon. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 30, 2022 A private operator had carried out extensive repairs for nearly six months before the suspension bridge was reopened on October 26. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to their cadre in Gujarat to extend all possible assistance in rescue work at Morbi. Built by Morbi maharaja The bridge is a European-style structure built by the Maharaja of Morbi Waghji Thakor, who was awarded “Night commander of the state of India” by Queen Victoria 125 years ago. It is 765 ft long, 4.6 ft wide and 60 ft above the ground. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel at the site to take stock of the situation after an old suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed, in Morbi district on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 | PTI Artistic, tech marvel Waghji Thakor ruled Morbi till 1922. He decided to construct the bridge, an artistic and technological marvel of that period, to connect Darbargadh Palace with Nazarbag Palace (the residences of the then royalty)