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2022 Morbi bridge collapse

Coordinates: 22°49′06″N 70°50′34″E / 22.81833°N 70.84278°E / 22.81833; 70.84278
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2022 Morbi bridge collapse
Jhulto Pul bridge, pictured in 2008
Date30 October 2022 (2022-10-30)
Time6:40 p.m. IST (UTC+5:30)
LocationMorbi, Gujarat, India
Coordinates22°49′06″N 70°50′34″E / 22.81833°N 70.84278°E / 22.81833; 70.84278
Deaths141[1]
Non-fatal injuries100+[2]

On 30 October 2022, in Morbi, Gujarat, India, a pedestrian suspension bridge, Jhulto Pul, over the Machchhu River collapsed, leading to the deaths of at least 141 people.

The 19th-century bridge had reopened four days earlier, following a lengthy closure for repairs.

Background

Jhulto Pul ("swinging bridge") was a 230-metre (750 ft) long, 1.25-metre (4 ft 1 in) wide pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchhu River,[1] built during British rule in India in the 19th century.[3][4] It was inaugurated on 20 February 1879.[5]

The toll bridge reopened on 26 October 2022 on the occasion of Gujarati New Year, after being closed for repairs for six months.[6][3] The chief officer of the municipality, who had given the contract for repairs after the 2001 earthquake, said the private firm responsible for the renovations "threw the bridge open to visitors without notifying us and therefore, we couldn't get a safety audit of the bridge conducted".[5] The bridge is owned by Morbi municipality, which signed a contract with the private trust Oreva for maintenance and operations a few months prior.[5][7] Four days after reopening, the bridge collapsed.[8]

Incident

On 30 October 2022, at 6:40 pm, the bridge collapsed. At least 141 people were confirmed dead[1] and more than 180 were rescued, with many still missing.[9] Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force started rescue operations.[10] Later they were joined by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force staff.[11] Police, military and disaster response teams were deployed for rescue operations.[12]

The Government of India and the Government of Gujarat announced the ex gratia payment of ₨₹2 lakh (US$2,400) and ₨₹4 lakh (US$4,800) respectively to next of kin of each person who died, and ₨₹50,000 (US$600) to the injured.[11][13]

Investigation

A five-member committee was formed by the Government of Gujarat to investigate and determine the cause.[13][14]

A first information report (FIR) was filed against the maintenance and management agencies of the bridge under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional act causing death) and 114 (abettor present when offence committed).[13][12]

According to initial reports, the bridge was reopened ahead of schedule after repairs and without the required fitness certificate from the local civic authorities. It had more than 500 people on it while it had a capacity of only 125.[15]

MP Mohan Kundariya, who lost 12 family members, including his sister, in the incident,[1] said he believed the cause was overloading.[4] A spokesperson for the operators Oreva told The Indian Express that it appeared too many people were in the middle section of the bridge "trying to sway it".[5][16] Eight people have been investigated over the incident.[17]

Response

Prime Minister Narendra Modi[18] and Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered condolences.[19] The premiers of Israel and Russia also offered condolences.[20][21]

Opposition Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to party workers for assistance.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Thomas, Merlyn; Peter, Laurence (31 October 2022). "India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Gujarat bridge collapse live updates: Over 60 dead as recently renovated bridge collapses in Morbi, several feared trapped". The Times of India.
  3. ^ a b Khanna, Sumit (30 October 2022). "At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse, state minister says". Reuters. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Recently renovated cable bridge collapses in Gujarat, several injured: Top developments". The Times of India. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d "Gujarat: Suspension bridge collapses in Morbi, more than 125 dead". The Indian Express. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  6. ^ Achmad, Meidy (30 October 2022). "Suspension Bridge in India Collapses, Even though it Was Just Completed Last Week's Renovation". Bingkai Nasional (in Indonesian). Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  7. ^ "5 Facts About Old Bridge In Gujarat That Collapsed". NDTV. 31 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Hundreds plunge into the river after India bridge collapses". BBC News. BBC. 30 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Gujarat Morbi bridge collapse, accident news today: Death toll rises to 135; rescue operation underway". Zee Business. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ a b "Morbi bridge collapse updates: Army, Air Force and Navy join NDRF for rescue ops". Hindustan Times. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  12. ^ a b "India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 132, many still missing". BBC News. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  13. ^ a b c "Morbi bridge collapse: Toll rises to over 140, probe on". cnbctv18.com. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  14. ^ "अब तक 132 की मौत, मेंटिनेंस कंपनी के खिलाफ एफआईआर दर्ज, SIT करेगी जांच". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  15. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. ^ ""Some People Shook Bridge Intentionally": Gujarat Family's Narrow Escape". NDTV. 31 October 2022.
  17. ^ "As it happened: India bridge collapse tragedy". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Gujarat Morbi Bridge Collapse LIVE Updates: My heart goes out to Morbi bridge collapse victims, says PM Modi; rescue operations continue". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  19. ^ Kumar, Raju (31 October 2022). "Gujarat bridge collapse: How political circle reacted | 'A man-made tragedy', says Congress". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  20. ^ "Russian President Putin expresses condolences to families of Morbi bridge collapse victims". The Indian Express. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  21. ^ "Morbi Cable Bridge Collapse LIVE Updates: PM Modi Vows to Leave 'No Stones Unturned' to Help Victims; Leaders of Israel, Lanka Condole Deaths". News18. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  22. ^ PTI (30 October 2022). "Gujarat bridge collapse: Kharge, Rahul ask Cong workers to provide all help in rescue ops". ThePrint. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
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