New Delhi, October 30 2022 || PIB

Synopsis: More than 100 people died when a pedestrian suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi Gujarat.

Julto Pul is a 230-metre (750 ft) long pedestrian bridge built during British rule in India in the 19th century,[and inaugurated on 20 February 1879.It had been closed for repairs for six months. The bridge is owned by Morbi municipality, which signed a contract with the private trust Oreva for maintenance and operations a few months prior.

The accident occurred four days after the bridge was reopened following repairs. The bridge had been closed for two years before the incident and was reopened after renovation on 26 October on the occasion of Gujarati New Year.

A local official said most of those who had died were women, children or elderly. Police, military and disaster response teams were deployed and the rescue effort continued through the night.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has spoken to the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. Shri Modi has  sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue operations.

The Prime Minister’s office tweeted;

“PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected.”

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the victims of the mishap in Morbi.

The Prime Minister’s office tweeted;

“PM @narendramodi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.

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Disclaimer:- This story has not been edited by Modern Shrines Publications and is auto-generated from PIB