Gujarat Morbi Bridge Collapse LIVE: 'Detailed, extensive probe into Morbi tragedy need of the hour,' says PM Modi

20:40 (IST)

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SC to hear PIL for judicial probe into Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would list for hearing on November 14 a PIL seeking constitution of a judicial commission to probe the Morbi bridge collapse incident in Gujarat which claimed over 130 lives. "You are very quick. What are your prayers," a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said when lawyer Vishal Tiwari mentioned his public interest litigation (PIL) on the issue for urgent hearing.

-PTI

19:28 (IST)

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Detailed, extensive probe into Morbi tragedy need of hour: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said a "detailed and extensive" inquiry to identify all aspects relating to the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy is the need of the hour, as he chaired a high-level meeting here to review the situation. He asserted that key learnings from the inquiry must be implemented at the earliest, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.

-PTI

18:28 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM visits accident site, meets bereaved families

Went to Morbi, which witnessed the horrific bridge mishap. Met the bereaved families and extended condolences. I visited the site of the tragedy and went to the hospital where the injured are recovering. Also met those involved in rescue ops and chaired a review meeting. pic.twitter.com/hAZnJFIHh8— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 1, 2022

18:12 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: Singapore PM writes to PM Modi, expresses condolences

Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong has written to PM Narendra Modi to convey condolences over the bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat: Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong.

-ANI

17:50 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM meets victims' family members

Morbi, Gujarat | PM Modi meets family members of the victims who lost their lives in the bridge collapse incident that happened on October 30 pic.twitter.com/GgHXSdH50d— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

17:46 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM takes stock of relief & rescue ops

Officials briefed the PM on the rescue ops and the assistance provided to those affected. PM said the need of the hour is to conduct a detailed and extensive inquiry that will identify all aspects relating to this mishap.

-ANI

17:44 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM chairs high-level meeting

PM Modi stated that the authorities must stay in touch with the affected families and ensure that they receive all possible help in this tragic hour.

-ANI

17:39 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM chairs high-level meeting

Morbi, Gujarat | PM Modi chairs a high-level meeting with senior officials on the bridge collapse incident

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/qyNLPmv0vw— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

17:26 (IST)

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WATCH: PM meets Morbi bridge collapse survivors at the hospital

#WATCH | PM Modi meets the injured in the #MorbiBridgeCollapse incident that happened on October 30

(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/26tXlAvnmJ— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

17:24 (IST)

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WATCH: PM earlier visited Morbi bridge collapse site

#WATCH | PM Modi along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel visits the cable bridge collapse site in Morbi, Gujarat

135 people lost their lives in the tragic incident pic.twitter.com/pXJhV7aqyi— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

17:07 (IST)

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PHOTOS: PM earlier visited Morbi bridge collapse site

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel, visits the incident site in Morbi, Gujarat, while the search and rescue operation is underway in the Machchhu river.

Death toll in the incident stands at 135 so far. pic.twitter.com/JefTWaTiNL— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

17:01 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM reaches SP office after meeting the injured

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches the SP office in Gujarat's #Morbi after visiting the incident site of bridge collapse & meeting the injured at Morbi Civil Hospital. pic.twitter.com/UrVKQYu1Ga— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

16:53 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM meets the injured at hospital

Gujarat | Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the injured admitted to Morbi Civil Hospital.#MorbiBridgeCollapse led to the deaths of 135 people so far. pic.twitter.com/UaKF2XcbCP— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

16:48 (IST)

PM Modi Gujarat Visit LIVE

WATCH: PM arrives at Morbi hospital to meet those injured in bridge collapse

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi arrives at the Morbi Civil Hospital to meet the injured#Gujarat pic.twitter.com/EH5t8QqGgA— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

16:37 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: PM meets personnel involved in rescue ops

PM Modi today met persons who were involved in rescue and relief operations when the cable bridge collapse mishap struck Morbi. pic.twitter.com/O0Oy8NBscP— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

16:15 (IST)

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PM approaches the bridge collapse site

#MorbiBridgeCollapse | Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches the incident site in Morbi, Gujarat, while the search and rescue operation is underway in the Machchhu river.

Death toll in the incident stands at 135 so far. pic.twitter.com/apg6x7L8uT— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

15:39 (IST)

PM Modi Gujarat Visit LIVE

Morbid tragedy: TMC on hospital facelift before Modi's visit to meet Morbi victims

The Trinamool Congress took a dig at the Gujarat government on Tuesday by sarcastically thanking it for cleaning up a hospital in Morbi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit to meet the victims of the bridge collapse.

Visuals of the Gujarat hospital being cleaned up in anticipation of Modi's visit have gone viral on social media.

"We thank the BJP Gujarat Govt as they took great pains to clean up the hospital for PM Narendra Modi's visit," the TMC tweeted.

"This hasty attempt to facelift the premises for the PM's photo-ops has given the patients some momentary relief. We truly are living in a morbid tragedy!" it added.

PTI

We thank the @BJP4Gujarat Govt as they took great pains to clean up the hospital for PM @narendramodi’s visit.

This hasty attempt to facelift the premises for the PM’s photo-ops has given the patients some momentary relief.

We truly are living in a morbid tragedy! https://t.co/XFs9Yt3kId— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 1, 2022

15:37 (IST)

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135 people killed in Morbi bridge collapse, 170 rescued: Gujarat minister; rescue work on

As many as 135 people have been killed in the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy and 170 others rescued, Gujarat minister Rajendra Trivedi said on Tuesday.

The rescue operation is still on in the Machchhu river by the armed forces, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies, officials said.

Rajkot Range Inspector General (IG) Ashok Kumar Yadav had on Monday said 134 people were killed after the suspension bridge in Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening.

On Tuesday, Gujarat cabinet minister Trivedi said, "So far, rescue teams have recovered 135 bodies while nearly 170 people, who fell into the river, were rescued alive."

"The kin of all the deceased have already been paid a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each as announced by the Gujarat government. A compensation of Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be deposited soon into their bank accounts through DBT (direct bank transfer)," the minister told reporters in state capital Gandhinagar.

PTI

15:00 (IST)

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Gujarat government distributes Rs 5.40 crore compensation to kin of Morbi victims

The Gujarat government started distributing Rs 4 lakh ex gratia among the next of kin of each of the victims in Morbi bridge collapse on Monday and officials said the process had been completed by Tuesday noon. “Kin of each of the 135 victims have been handed over cheques worth Rs 4 lakh each towards compensation. In all, we have handed over relief cumulatively worth Rs 5.40 crore,” H R Sanchla, the mamlatdar in charge of the control room, said.

14:20 (IST)

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Conman's claim of Rs 10 cr 'protection money' attempt to divert attention from Morbi incident: Kejriwal

The allegations that conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar paid Rs 10 crore to jailed AAP minister Satyendra Jain as ‘protection money’ are an attempt to divert attention from the Morbi incident, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday.

Before Punjab polls, they came out with Kumar Vishwas. Now, the BJP, due to its poor condition in Gujarat, has produced Sukesh. It is also an attempt to divert attention from the Morbi incident, Kejriwal said in response to a question at a press conference.

In a letter addressed to Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Chandrashekhar has claimed that he paid Rs 10 crore to the jailed minister as protection money.

The suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed Sunday evening, killing 134 people, a senior police official had said.

PTI

13:08 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat result of massive corruption: Delhi CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat was a result of massive corruption and prayed for those who lost their lives in the incident.

The suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed Sunday evening, killing 134 people, a senior police official had said.

He also demanded that the Gujarat government should tender its resignation in the wake of such a big incident and the assembly polls be held immediately.

PTI

13:05 (IST)

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Grateful to PM Modi staying with us in this hard time: CM Bhupendra Patel

"We are grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for staying with us in this hard time and guiding us to lead Gujarat out of this grief," Bhupendra Patel said at the Mangarh Memorial event in Rajasthan's Banswada, while speaking about the bridge collapse in Morbi.

12:46 (IST)

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SC to hear PIL for judicial probe into Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat

The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it would list for hearing on November 14 a PIL seeking constitution of a judicial commission to probe the Morbi bridge collapse incident in Gujarat.

According to the latest reports, the death toll in the collapse of the British-era bridge on Sunday on the Machchhu river in Morbi in Gujarat has gone up to 134 people.

“You are very quick. What are your prayers?” a bench comprising Chief Justice Uday Umesh Lalit and Justice Bela M Trivedi said when lawyer Vishal Tiwari mentioned his PIL on the issue for urgent hearing.

"I am seeking a judicial enquiry by a panel headed by a former Supreme Court judge," the lawyer said.

The bench then said that the PIL would be listed for hearing on 14 November.

Tiwari, in the PIL, said the accident leading to the collapse of the bridge resulting in more than 134 casualties, depicted the negligence and utter failure of government authorities.

PTI

12:14 (IST)

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Should Morbi bridge tragedy be termed 'act of fraud' or mere accident? Uddhav faction

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction on Tuesday said the Gujarat government cannot shirk its responsibility for the loss of lives in Morbi bridge collapse and asked whether it should be termed as an "act of fraud, conspiracy or a mere accident".

When a similar incident took place in West Bengal in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had slammed that state government and called it an 'act of God', an editorial in the Thackeray camp's mouthpiece 'Saamana' said.

The Marathi daily also questioned the quality of renovation of the Morbi suspension bridge, which was opened for the public four days before it collapsed.

The suspension bridge on the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi city collapsed on Sunday evening, killing 135 people, a senior police official earlier said.

PTI

12:04 (IST)

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Priyanka Chopra expresses grief over loss of lives in Morbi Bridge collapse incident

Actor Priyanka Chopra on Tuesday expressed her grief over the loss of lives at the Machchu river bridge accident in Morbi, Gujarat.

Taking to Instagram, Priyanka shared a note on her stories which she captioned, "So heartbreaking...My condolence goes out to everyone affected by the bridge collapse in Gujarat."

11:59 (IST)

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No role of Gujarat govt, bridge renovated by Morbi administration, says former Gujarat Deputy CM

Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel refuted claims of the Gujarat government having any direct or indirect role and said that the renovation and opening of the bridge were done by the Morbi administration. The Morbi bridge collapse incident claimed the lives of 134 people.

"Renovation and opening of the bridge were done by Morbi admin. Gujarat govt didn't have any role in it, direct or indirect. The old bridge was small and made for private use, but was opened to the public for tourist movement," said Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel.

The Former Deputy Chief Minister said that the work of renovation was given to the Oreva agency by the Morbi municipality.

"Oreva is an old company for repairing watches but only Morbi municipality knows on which qualification it handed over the work of bridge renovation," he added.

ANI

11:57 (IST)

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Morbi bridge collapse: Young good samaritans save around 60 lives

The heroic actions of a youth, who himself was one of the victims of the Morbi bridge collapse, has saved the lives of around 60 people.

The Morbi bridge collapse incident claimed the lives of 135 people.

Naim Sheikh, who knew how to swim managed to save, with the help of his friends, about 50-60 people, even though, he himself was also injured in the incident. He is currently admitted to Civil Hospital in Morbi and undergoing medical treatment.

ANI

11:38 (IST)

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Technical and structural flaws, maintenance issues prima facie responsible for Morbi bridge collapse: Police

Technical and structural flaws and some maintenance issues were prima facie responsible for the Morbi bridge collapse in which 134 people were killed, a police officer said on Monday.

Addressing reporters, Rajkot Range IG Ashok Kumar Yadav said the police will take help from forensic experts and structural engineers to investigate all aspects related to the incident.

"Our preliminary investigation has revealed that technical and structural flaws, including (lack of) certification as well as some maintenance issues, were responsible for the tragedy," Yadav said.

PTI

11:27 (IST)

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After over 130 deaths in Morbi bridge collapse, number of visitors on Ahmedabad's Atal bridge capped to 3,000 people

A day after 134 people died in a bridge collapse in Morbi, the Ahmedabad civic body on Monday decided to restrict the number of persons on the pedestrian-only Atal Bridge on the Sabarmati River in the city to 3,000 per hour, an official said.

The 300-metre long and 14-metre wide Atal Bridge, which connects the flower garden on the western-end of the riverfront and the upcoming arts and culture centre on the eastern-end, has become a huge attraction for people since it was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 27.

Read More

11:04 (IST)

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Morbi hospital gets makeover ahead of PM Modi’s visit

The government hospital at Morbi has got a makeover ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the facility to meet those injured in Sunday’s suspension bridge collapse which claimed 134 lives.

Workers were seen cleaning and painting a portion of the 300-bed hospital, which is a ground plus two-storey structure of three wings, ahead of Modi’s visit later Tuesday.

Six of those injured in the collapse are undergoing treatment at the hospital, while four to five other injured are being treated at a private hospital, a doctor said. So far, 56 people have been discharged, he added.

PTI

10:36 (IST)

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WATCH: Rescue operations resume over Machchhu river

Rescue operations resumed Tuesday over the Machchhu river where the Morbi bridge collapsed.

"It is suspected that some bodies may be there on the floor of the river, so we resumed the operation with the help of our deep divers," VVN Prasanna Kumar, NDRF Commandant, told ANI.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Search and rescue operation underway in Machchhu river where #MorbiBridgeTragedy struck on 30th October.

The death toll currently stands at 135. pic.twitter.com/YM48tZyPeI— ANI (@ANI) November 1, 2022

10:24 (IST)

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US President Joe Biden expresses condolences to families of Morbi bridge collapse victims

US President Joe Biden on Monday extended his deepest condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city.

The more than a-century-old bridge, which had reopened five days back after extensive repairs and renovation, was crammed with people when it collapsed on Sunday evening. Over 130 people have died so far in the accident.

PTI

Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the bridge collapse in India, and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of too many lives cut short. In this difficult hour, we will continue to stand with and support the Indian people.— President Biden (@POTUS) October 31, 2022

10:15 (IST)

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UN chief Guterres deeply saddened by Morbi bridge collapse tragedy

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep sadness over a tragic bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city and expressed condolences to the families of the victims and injured.

At least 134 people lost their lives in the tragedy which took place in Morbi town of the Saurashtra region when the British-era suspension bridge came crashing down on Sunday evening.

The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the tragic news of the collapse of the Morbi bridge in Gujarat," a statement issued by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, said on Monday.

PTI

10:02 (IST)

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Death toll rises to 135, rescue operations still on

With one more injured succumbing at the District hospital on Tuesday morning, the death toll stands at 135, said the Morbi District Collector.

Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with local administration and other agencies are carrying out search and rescue operations at the spot of the Morbi bridge collapse.

"With one more injured succumbing at the District hospital a while ago, the death toll stands at 135. A total of 14 persons are still hospitalized. One person is still reported to be missing and a search is on for him," told Morbi District Collector.

ANI

09:52 (IST)

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Explained: Why the recently renovated Morbi Bridge collapsed

A Sunday evening outing to one of Gujarat’s tourist attractions on the Machhu river — the Morbi Bridge suspension bridge — turned into a deadly nightmare for hundreds of people when the cables on the bridge snapped and the construction went crashing down into the water.

According to officials, 134 people have died, while over 500 personnel from the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force, Indian Coast Guard, local police, fire services and other agencies have been involved in the rescue operations.

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09:50 (IST)

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Digvijaya Singh demands Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel's resignation

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has demanded the resignation of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over the Morbi bridge collapse tragedy.

A Congress delegation led by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Gujarat party president Jagdish Thakor and former Madhya Pradesh CM Digvijaya Singh visited Morbi on Monday, a day after the suspension bridge over the Machchhu river collapsed.

Rajkot Range Inspector General Ashok Yadav told PTI on Monday that 134 people were killed after the bridge collapsed on Sunday evening.

PTI

09:49 (IST)

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Morbi tragedy effect: Hourly cap on visitors at Atal Bridge opened by Modi in August

The Ahmedabad civic body has decided to restrict the number of persons on the pedestrian-only Atal Bridge on the Sabarmati River here to 3,000 per hour, after the Morbi bridge tragedy in which 134 people were killed, an official said.

The 300-metre long and 14-metre wide Atal Bridge, which connects the flower garden on the western-end of the riverfront and the upcoming arts and culture centre on the eastern-end, has become a huge attraction for people since it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 August.

PTI

09:40 (IST)

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State mourning for Morbi bridge collapse victims on 2 November

In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar Monday late evening, it was decided to observe state mourning for the victims of Morbi bridge collapse on 2 November, an official statement said. The meeting was held at Raj Bhavan in the state capital.

09:28 (IST)

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How Morbi Bridge collapse revives memories of 1979 Machchhu Dam burst

As the Machchhu river turned into a watery grave for many hapless people in Morbi after the collapse of the cable suspension bridge on Sunday, it revived tragic memories of the deadly dam burst in the Gujarat town 43 years ago.

The river originates from the hill ranges of Jasdan Sardar and Mandva in Rajkot district and Chotila in Surendranagar district and passes through Malia, Morbi, Wankaner, Jasdam and Rajkot taluks of Rajkot districts.

On 11 August 1979, after a week of extraordinary monsoon rains in Gujarat, the two-mile-long Machchhu Dam-II disintegrated — listed as ‘worst dam burst’ in the Guinness Book of World Records.

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09:18 (IST)

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PM Modi to visit Morbi today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day tour of election-bound Gujarat, will be visiting Morbi on Tuesday in the wake of the bridge collapse over Machchhu river, killing 134 people.

On Monday, PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting at the Raj Bhavan in Gandhinagar to review the situation in Morbi.