Morbi Bridge Collapse: No fitness certificate issued before reopening, Death toll 141
Morbi: A suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi yesterday evening and claimed more than 100 lives. NDRF, SDRF, and other agencies are at the incident site carrying out search and rescue operations in the Machhu river where the incident occurred.
At least 141 people have died after a British-era bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi collapsed last evening. Some 177 people have been saved and teams are searching for several others who are still missing.
The company responsible for the renovation and repair work of the bridge reportedly did not get a ‘fitness certificate’ from the municipality before reopening the bridge.
Chief Officer of Morbi Municipality Sandeepsinh Zala said “The bridge over the Machchhu river had been shut for seven months for repairs. The bridge was given to Oreva company for operation and maintenance for 15 years. In March this year, it was closed to the public for renovation. It reopened after renovation on the Gujarati New Year day celebrated on October 26,”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, said rescue and relief operations have been going on since yesterday and the center is extending all help to the state. He said while he was pained, but also has to follow the path of duty.
(Vinayak)
