The death toll in Morbi suspension bridge collapse has climbed to 141 on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the speech on Sardar Patel Jayanti got emotional, and said that he has not experienced such pain. Meanwhile, condolences from across the globe have poured in for the victims.
Rescue personnel are looking for missing persons. Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said that the rescue operation is in its last stage and will be over soon.
The government deployed five teams of NDRF, six platoons of SDRF, a team of Air Force, two teams of Indian Army, and two teams of Indian Navy, along with local rescue teams.
The Morbi bridge was over a century old and had reopened five days ago after repairs and renovation. At the time of its collapse, the bridge was crammed with people, including several women and children. When the bridge collapsed, people were seen jumping off the bridge, and pulling its wires. The cables of the bridged had snapped.
Survivor Imram Ajmeri recalled the horrors of Sunday evening and said that he saw one of his friends dying in front of his eyes. He said he survived only because he got something for support while he was in water. The survivor said that he saw children getting drowned too. He had gone to visit the bridge with his friends.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said called the Morbi tragedy a "heart-wrenching incident" and expressed his condolences. "A heart-wrenching incident occurred in Gujarat y'day. Several people, incl children, lost their lives in one incident. Nobody can control accidents but this incident that shook the sentiments of the entire nation, has hurt & saddened people," said the minister.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has demanded an inquiry into the Morbi bridge collapse. He said an inquiry headed by a retired SC/HC judge should look into how the bridge collapsed after 5-6 days of inauguration and who allowed such a large number of people there. The party president said that Congress leaders have reached there, and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot will also be present there. Kharge said that they are not doing politics at this time and won't like to blame anyone right now.
Images of search operations carried out by Indian Army
The FIR stated that management fault and faulty construction or any other construction and maintenance reasons led to the collapse of the Morbi bridge. The report stated that the tragedy happened due to gross negligence and carelessness and the push to open the bridge to tourists. "Maintenance and management agencies are responsible for this incident," it said.
The FIR lodged over the Morbi bridge collapse incident stated that people were visiting the bridge in large numbers due to the festival season. The Mobri bridge was not properly maintained and repaired, and hence it collapsed. The FIR stated that there were over 250-300 people on the bridge at the time of the incident. The FIR states that most of the people who died and were injured were children, women and the elderly.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called his events on Monday due to the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy that claimed 141 lives. Kejriwal was scheduled to carry ou a roadshow in Adampur, Haryana, ahead of the by-elections.
Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, mourned the tragedy at Morbi. "Deep sorrow at the bridge collapse in Gujarat, India. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and with the emergency services," he said.
PM Modi said that troupes from across the country came to Kevadia to perform traditional dances but the programme has been cancelled in the wake of the Morbi bridge tragedy.
Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel reached the collector's office in Morbi early this morning, got all details of matters including search operation, relief-rescue operation, treatment of the injured and gave necessary instructions to the system.
PM Modi said that Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and Sardar Patel Jayanti is not just a day but a symbol of unity for the country. "Today our whole country is standing together and helping each other. In Morbi, each and everyone reached the place to help. This is the strength of unity," he said.
"I am in Ekta Nagar but my mind is with the victims of Morbi. Rarely in my life, have I experienced such pain," said PM Modi in Kevadiya.
"All alertness is being observed even in the hospital where the injured are under treatment. Priority is being given to ensure that people face minimum problems," the Prime Minister said.
Also read: Morbi bridge collapse: All you need to know about the suspension bridge in Gujarat
While speaking in Kevadiya, Prime Minister Modi said, "I am in Ekta Nagar but my mind is with the victims of Morbi. Rarely in my life, would I have experienced such pain. On one hand, there is a pain-riddled heart and on the other hand, there is the path to duty."
Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India, mourned the death of the people in Gujarat's Morbi bridge collapse incident. "Deeply saddened by loss of many lives due to collapse of cable bridge in Morbi, Gujarat. Our thoughts & deepest condolences to family & friends of the deceased & injured. Our hearts are with people of Gujarat," he said.
NDRF Commandant VVN Prasanna Kumar said that such a number of casualties in one area is a first for them. He said that usually they face incidents of boat capsizing. The challenge in this case is the muddy water that causes visibility issues for the divers.
The area was divided into three parts among civil administration, SDRF, fire services, Army, Navy, IAF and NDRF. "Our divers rescued people and recovered bodies from our area. We suspect that there might be people trapped under floor of bridge that collapsed, we're taking help of deep divers," he said.
Details of the FIR filed in the Morbi bridge collapse incident:
Details of accused:
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said that the Chief Minister constituted a high power committee on Sunday. "All officers, posted at different locations, were asked to report at Morbi by 2 am. The investigation is going on," he said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Zbigniew Rau offered his condolences on the Morbi bridge collapse. “My deep and sincere condolences to the Nation of India for the tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat. This city has a special place in Polish-Indian relations,” said Rau.
"Bridge collapse incident in Morbi, Gujarat is very unfortunate. Condolences to families of those who have lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. Government of Gujarat must be held accountable for this incident because reports suggest that, work on this recently renovated Bridge was carried out after obtaining a 'Government Tender'. So why was Gujarat government not aware that this bridge was reopened without obtaining a fitness certificate and requisite permissions from them?Lives are lost and people are still missing. Gujarat authorities cannot absolve themselves from this incident and are equally responsible along with the private company that carried out the Bridge renovation. Central government must take this issue seriously and heads must roll in Gujarat government," said NCP spokesperson.
PM Modi who is on a three-day tour to Gujarat and Rajasthan has cancelled his road show in the wake of the Morbi suspension bridge collapse on Sunday that led to the death of 141 people. The BJP Gujarat media cell said, "The Page Committee Sneh Milan program to be held in the virtual presence of Prime Minister Modi has been postponed."