MORBI, India, Oct 31 (Reuters) – The death toll from a footbridge collapse in India rose to 134 on Monday, many of them children, as police detained nine people as part of a criminal investigation into one of the country’s deadliest accidents. in the last ten years.
CCTV footage taken shortly before the collapse shows a group of youths posing for pictures while others try to shake suspension bridge side by side, the cables connecting it gave way before falling into the river below.
In the western state of Gujarat where the natural disaster occurred, police arrested nine people after filing a case against unnamed people responsible for repairing, maintaining and operating a bridge.
Senior police official Ashok Yadav said that the details of the detained persons would be released later in the day.
Ashwin Mehra, who was treated for leg and back injuries while falling from the bridge, said that he and 6 others reached the shore by clinging to the metal railings and nets of the bridge.
“About 15 to 20 mischievous children were shaking the ropes of the bridge. There were three noises before the bridge collapsed,” he said.
Local officials told Reuters that the manager of the bridge, a company that makes watches and electrical goods, had not informed authorities that the bridge would reopen after repairs last week, adding that no certificate had been issued that it was fit for public use.
The colonial-era footbridge over the Macchhu River in the center of Morbi was packed with tourists enjoying the festivities. fell down on Sunday evening, drowning people in about 10 meters (33 feet) of the river.
About 400 people had bought tickets to climb the bridge to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals.
About 35 of the victims were under the age of 14, according to a list of the dead seen by Reuters. About 170 people were rescued by morning.
“People were hanging from the bridge after the accident, but when the bridge collapsed, they slipped and fell into the river,” said Raju, a witness who gave only one name. “I couldn’t sleep all night because I helped in the rescue operation. I brought many children to the hospital.”
Narendrasinh Jadeja who lost his friend seven members of his family“I can’t express how angry and desperate I am,” she said, including 4 children.
[1/5] Rescuers search for survivors after a suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, October 31, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer
Senior government official NK Muchhar said the death toll has reached 134. Another official said that the muddy waters of the river at the scene hindered rescue efforts and that there may be people trapped under the remains of the bridge.
REGIME FOR VISITATION
Sandeepsinh Zala, chief executive officer of Morbi municipality, said Gujarat-based electrical appliance manufacturer Oreva Group, known for its Ajanta watches, had been responsible for maintaining the bridge for 15 years.
“They did not give us any information about reopening the bridge,” said Zala. “We have not given them any health certificates.”
Jayrajsinh Jadeja, a local MP for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, accused Oreva of selling unlimited tickets and said overcrowding had led to the collapse of the bridge.
According to him, the bridge was previously maintained by the local municipality, which limited the number of people on the bridge to 20 people at a time.
A spokesman for Oreva did not respond to calls and text messages from Reuters.
The Indian Express newspaper quoted an Orewa spokesman as saying: “While we are waiting for more information, the bridge collapsed as a large number of people tried to swing it from one side to the other in the middle of the bridge. “
Former Gujarat chief minister Modi has condoled with the families of the victims and is expected to visit Morbi on Tuesday.
“The government stands by the bereaved families in every way at this sad hour,” he said at an event in Gujarat.
The bridge is 1.25 meters (4 ft) wide and spans 233 meters (255 yards) connecting the city with the Darbargadh Palace heritage hotel. It was built in 1877 when India was a British colony.
Opposition politicians in Gujarat, where elections are due early next year, said the disaster exposed the country’s lack of control over infrastructure.
Gurdeep Singh Sappal, a member of the Congress party, wrote on Twitter: “The collapse of the bridge in Morbi is not only extremely sad but also very angry. Because it was a tragedy in waiting.” “For some time now, bridge collapses, road collapses, and dam failures have been happening frequently.”
Writing by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Edited by Kim Coghill, Gerry Doyle, Edmund Klamann and Alison Williams
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