Disasters & Accidents

India’s PM Modi visits site of the bridge collapse that killed 135

New Delhi, Nov 1 (EFE).- Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday visited the site of a bridge collapse in the western Indian state of Gujarat that killed 135 after the British-era suspension overpass snapped and crumbled into the river below.

The accident in Modi’s home state, where regional elections are due by the year’s end or early next year, occurred on Sunday.

The prime minister inspected the collapsed bridge and chaired a meeting to review the situation in the wake of the tragedy – one of the worst in India in recent years.

A statement from his office said Modi directed the regional authorities to “stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour.”

Officials briefed the prime minister on the rescue ops and the assistance provided to those affected.

“The need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry which will identify all aspects relating to this mishap,” Modi said.

Modi went to the local hospital where the injured are recovering and interacted with those involved in rescue and relief work.

Hundreds of people had gathered on the 150-year-old bridge for a Hindu ritual in the Morbi town on Sunday, just four days after it was opened following a seven-month closure for renovation.

CCTV footage of the accident showed a group of men trying to rock the iconic bridge before its cables snapped, sending hundreds plunging into the water.

Videos captured using mobile phones at the time of the accident showed people falling on top of each other.

Some swam to safety, and those, who could not, mostly women and children, either suffered injuries or succumbed.

On Tuesday, the local media said the death toll from the accident reached 135.

“So far, rescue teams have recovered 135 bodies while nearly

170 people, who fell into the river, were rescued,” Disaster Management Minister Rajendra Trivedi told media.

Municipal authorities have said the bridge was yet to be cleared for reopening as the renovating company had not taken a safety certificate.

Police have arrested at least nine people, including four from the Oreva Group managing the bridge.

The 230-meter bridge was built in the 19th century.

A major tourist attraction, the bridge was said to be an engineering marvel “built to give a unique identity to Morbi using the latest technology available in those days in Europe,” a state government website said. EFE

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