Hundreds of people, including 12 members of a BJP MP’s family, were killed when a suspension bridge collapsed in Gujarat’s Morbi town on Sunday.
Rajkot BJP MP Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundaria lost 12 family members in the bridge collapse, which happened after the newly-renovated structure collapsed due to overcrowding.
“I have lost 12 members of my family including five children in the accident. I lost family members who were from my sister’s family,” said Kundaria India Today.
“NDRF, SDRF and local administration are conducting search and rescue operations. All the survivors of the accident have been rescued and efforts are on to retrieve the bodies of those who drowned in the Machhu river and rescue boats are also on the spot.
The death toll in the accident rose to 132 on Monday and Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi said rescue workers were searching for two people believed to be missing. Rescue operation in Machhu river is in final stage. It will end soon,” the minister told reporters.
Renowned as “an engineering marvel”, the century-old bridge was renovated for more than six months and opened to the public on the Gujarati New Day on 26 October. Just four days later, on Sunday evening, the bridge witnessed huge crowds. Of tourists and snapping under the weight. Civic officials claimed that the bridge, repaired by private group Orewa, was opened without a “certificate of fitness” and without informing the government.
On who was responsible for the disaster, Kundaria said, “An inquiry will be conducted to find out how the tragedy unfolded. Those found responsible will be punished. Most of the dead are women and children and local and NGOs have also joined the rescue operation.”
State Home Minister Sanghvi announced that the state government had set up a committee to probe the collapse. An FIR was also registered in connection with the bridge collapse under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional cause of death) and 114 (presence when offence is committed), whoever was found responsible.
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