MORBI: 78 people died and several others were injured after a nearly 100-year-old suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in Gujarat's Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening.
Several people who were standing on the bridge fell into the water, according to officials.
Gujarat DGP Ashish Bhatia said that the number of deaths in the bridge collapse incidence has risen to 78.
The bridge, which was recently reopened for public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it, officials said.
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<p>The death toll in Morbi suspension bridge collapse in Gujarat rose to 132 on Monday with rescue personnel recovering more bodies from the Machchhu river. (Picture credits: AFP)</p>
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<p>Workers remove a section of a suspension bridge (C) after the structure collapsed across the river Machchhu in Morbi. (Picture credits: AFP)</p>
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<p>Rescuers on boats search in the Machchu river next to a cable bridge that collapsed in Morbi. (Picture credits: AP)</p>
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<p>Some people were seen jumping on the bridge and pulling its big wires, an eyewitness said.</p>
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<p>Eyewitnesses said there were several women and children on the British era “hanging bridge” when it snapped.</p>
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<p> The state government has formed a committee to probe the collapse.</p>
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<p>Relatives of a victim mourn after a cable bridge across the Machchu river collapsed in Morbi town of Gujarat. (Picture credits: AP)</p>
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<p>Over 60 persons have lost their lives in the Morbi cable bridge collapse incident that took place in Gujarat on Sunday evening.</p>
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<p>Gujarat chief minister Bhupender Patel said instructions have been given to the officials to arrange immediate treatment for the injured.</p>
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<p>NDRF DG Atul Karwal said that three teams have already been dispatched to assist in the rescue operations.</p>State government has formed a five members committee to probe the Morbi incident.
IAS officer and AMC commissioner Rajkumar Beniwal, chief engineer of quality control department in Road and Building in Gandhinagar KM Patel, HOD structural engineering department with LD Engineering College Dr Gopal Tank, secratary road and housing Sandip Vasava and CID (crime) IG Subhash Trivedi will be in the committee.
"Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. A rescue operation is underway. There are reports that several people have suffered injuries. They are being rushed to hospitals," local MLA and state minister Brijesh Merja had said.
According to eyewitnesses, there were several women and children on the hanging bridge when it snapped.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue operations, while the Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured.
"I have spoken to Gujarat home minister Harsh Sanghavi and other state officials. Local administration is engaged in relief work, NDRF is also reaching the spot soon. The administration has been directed to provide immediate treatment to injured," said Union home minister Amit Shah.
