Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is touring poll-bound Gujarat, will visit Morbi on Tuesday in the wake of the tragic bridge collapse that killed 136 people. Modi, who was in Kevadia on Monday, chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation and instructed authorities to extend all possible help to those affected by the tragedy.
The PM was also briefed on the relief and rescue operations and a five-member special inquiry team has been set up to look into the incident. The British-era suspension bridge, which was recently renovated and opened to the public, came crashing down on Sunday evening. The Indian Navy and NDRF resumed serach and rescue operations on Tuesday morning.
Who all have been arrested?
The Morbi bridge, which is believed to have a holding capacity of 100 persons, was overcrowded when one of the two main suspension cables suddenly snapped and people fell into the Machchu river.
Nine persons have been arrested for culpable homicide. Those arrested include four employees of the Oreva group that had bagged the contract to renovate and manage the Morbi suspension bridge. Of these, two work as managers, and two work as ticket booking clerks. The other five accused include two repairing contractors hired by the Oreva group and three persons working at the bridge as security personnel in charge of managing the footfall.
The renovation and repairs are believed to have cost an estimated Rs 2 crore.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday announced the observance of a state-wide mourning day in Gujarat on November 2 for the victims of the tragedy and their families
Tributes pour in
US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris mourned the victims of the devastating bridge collapse in Gujarat. “Today, our hearts are with India. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the bridge collapse and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of too many lives cut short,” Biden said.
Congresswoman Grace Meng, Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, said she was devastated by the high number of deaths caused by the bridge collapse. “I'm heartbroken to learn that many of those killed are children, women and the elderly. India is a dear friend and ally of the United States, and we stand with its people during this terrible time of tragedy and sorrow,” Meng said.
