Authorities raised the dead to 60 after the collapse of a suspension bridge in western India that collapsed while hundreds of people passed through the infrastructure open to the public just four days ago.
“More than 60 people have died” after the collapse of the Morbi suspension bridge in the western state of Gujarat, although rescue operations continue, Gujarat Minister of Housing and Rural Development Brijesh said in a statement to the media. Merge.
The bridge collapsed on Sunday afternoon, letting an unknown number of people fall into the river, who were unable to leave the structure when it began to give way.
Authorities have mobilized troops, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), for rescue operations, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reported on Twitter.
“I am heading to Morbi, I have canceled all my upcoming events today. Direct monitoring of the situation and the necessary coordination with the system will be achieved by arriving at the site in person,” he added.
According to the regional Minister of the Interior, Harsh Sanghavi, who did not specify the exact number of people affected, the authorities have managed to rescue a good part of the people who were at the scene.
“We are receiving all kinds of help from the Center. The NDRF and other agencies were instructed to arrive at the scene. Most of the people injured by the collapse have been admitted to hospital,” the official said.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who was in the state when the accident occurred participating in a government act, assured the full support of the Government for the operations.
“I am deeply saddened by the Morbi tragedy. I spoke to the Gujarat chief minister and other officials about this. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to those affected,” he said in a message on the same social network.
The Morbi Suspension Bridge is an iconic structure in the region for pedestrian use, 1.25 meters wide and over 200 meters long. The historic infrastructure, more than a century old, was reopened to the public on October 26 after repair and renovation works.
