Gujarat Morbi bridge collapse: Here's who said what

The death toll in the bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat has jumped to over 60, news agency ANI quoted Gujarat Panchayat Minister Brijesh Merja as saying. The dead include children as well.

Many were missing as the suspension bridge on the Machhu dam in Gujarat's Morbi collapsed on Sunday evening, a local civil hospital official told media.

The bridge was recently reopened for the public after renovation. It collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it, said officials.


According to eyewitnesses, there were several women and children on the hanging bridge when it snapped.

Three National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams rushed to the bridge collapse site in Gujarat from Gandhinagar, Vadodara and another team to be airlifted, said DG NDRF Atul Karwal.

Following the news of the accident a number of leaders expressed their grief over the deaths caused by the accident.

President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday said her thoughts and prayers are with the affected people in the bridge collapse tragedy in Gujarat's Morbi and hoped that relief and rescue efforts will bring succor to the victims.

"The tragedy in Morbi, Gujarat has left me worried. My thoughts and prayers are with the affected people. Relief and rescue efforts will bring succour to the victims," the president tweeted.


In a tweet in Hindi, Adityanath said, "Very sad news of a bridge collapsing has been received from Morbi in Gujarat. Praying to Shri Ram to help all the affected."

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar also expressed his grief over a bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city and prayed for the safe rescue of all.

"Distressed to hear about the tragic incident in Morbi, Gujarat. I pray for the safe rescue of all and speedy recovery of those injured," the Vice President Secretariat said in a tweet quoting Dhankhar.

"My thoughts are with the affected families," Dhankhar said.


CPI leader Binoy Viswam has hit out at the BJP over the bridge collapse in Gujarat's Morbi city on Sunday, claiming that it points to the "gross negligence" of the state government.

"Cable bridge collapse in Gujarat points to the gross negligence of the BJP government. Its repair was said to be done five days back. Where from the contractors got this courage? The compensation needs to be increased. A reliable enquiry should take place to unveil political involvement," Viswam tweeted.


TMC leader Mamata Banerjee also tweeted, "I am deeply concerned about the tragic bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, that has cost several innocent lives and left many trapped. My deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery."


The nearly century-old suspension bridge on the Machchhu river collapsed around 6.30 pm owing to too many people on it following its reopening just four days ago after renovation.

(With inputs from ANI)