The Morbi bridge tragedy is one of the worst accidents that Gujarat has witnessed in recent times. The number of dead is increasing with each passing hour, while the rescue operation and a high-level probe are already underway.
Morbi bridge collapse tragedy in India’s Gujarat – BBC News
Here is all you need to know about the tragedy
The bridge is located on the Macchi river, in Morbi, Gujarat. The location is 300 kilometres far from the capital of the state, Gujarat. 141 people have been found dead as of the morning of October 31.
Morbi bridge is one of the major tourist attractions in the state. The place has historically been the go-to spot for the people around. However, the eyewitnesses confirmed that the narrow cable suspension bridge was crowded with almost 500 people, much beyond its capacity.
‘Renovated’ Tragedy?
According to the chief security officer of the region the bridge was given to Oreya company for operation and maintenance for as long as 15 years. The bridge was closed to the public for the majority of this year. The bridge was inaccessible to the general masses from March to October this year, as it was under renovation. The bridge was reopened on the occasion of the Gujarati new year on October 26, 2022. The Officer, however, mentioned that they were not aware if a fitness certificate was issued to the company, to reopen the bridge then.
Reports suggest that 500 people were on the bridge before collapsed.
History of the Bridge
The 140-year-old bridge is around 230-meter long. The bridge was inaugurated on 20 February 1879, by the hands of Richard Temple, the then Governor of Bombay (now Mumbai). It cost the government around 3.5 lakh rupees in 1880. The bridge was built to connect Darbargadh to Nazarbagh. It was also referred to as the ‘Hanging bridge’ by the locals.
A bridge was considered to be a novel piece of architecture back then. It was extremely useful as it helped people travel to the city from the rural areas around.
The Current status
The Chief Minister of the state, Bhupendra Patel inspected the place and is in contact with the Prime Minister. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
Prime Minister Modi who was supposed to be a part of a road show in Ahmedabad ahead of the state Assembly polls has cancelled the event.
As the investigation continues, cases under section 304 (Culpable Homicide), 308 (intentional act causing death), and 114 (abettor present when offence committed), against whoever is found guilty.
143-year-old Morbi cable bridge collapsed in Gujarat. Till now 60 dead & counting
1. On 26 Oct: It was reopened after repair & renovation.
Who gave fitness certificate?
If certificate was not given, who approved reopening?2. Who allowed people on bridge more than its capacity? pic.twitter.com/oZjFt24hAB
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) October 30, 2022
1979 :: Machchhu Dam Collapse In Morbi , Gujarat
More Than 2000 People Died In This Tragedy pic.twitter.com/r79J319Qyl
— indianhistorypics (@IndiaHistorypic) October 30, 2022
