2022 Morbi bridge collapse

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2022 Morbi bridge collapse
Hanging Bridge from Opposite Side Morbi - panoramio.jpg
Jhulto Pul bridge, pictured in 2008
Date30 October 2022 (2022-10-30)
Time6:32 p.m. IST (UTC+5:30)
LocationMorbi, Gujarat, India
Coordinates22°49′06″N 70°50′34″E / 22.81833°N 70.84278°E / 22.81833; 70.84278Coordinates: 22°49′06″N 70°50′34″E / 22.81833°N 70.84278°E / 22.81833; 70.84278
Deaths141[1]
Non-fatal injuries100+[2]

On 30 October, 2022, in Morbi, Gujarat, India, Jhulto Pul, a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchhu River, collapsed, leading to the deaths of at least 141 people.

The 19th-century bridge had reopened four days earlier, following a lengthy closure for repairs.

Background[edit]

Jhulto Pul (Gujarati: ઝૂલતો પુલ; "hanging bridge") was a 230-metre (750 ft) long, 1.25-metre (4 ft 1 in) wide pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machchhu River,[1] built during British rule in India in the 19th century.[3][4] It was inaugurated on 20 February 1879.[5]

The bridge is owned by Morbi municipality, which signed a contract with the private trust Oreva for maintenance and operations a few months prior.[6][7] A Morbi based company; Ajanta Manufacturing Pvt Ltd. had also been awarded a 15-year contract for the maintenance and managing of the bridge.[8] The toll bridge reopened on 26 October 2022 on the occasion of Gujarati New Year, after being closed for repairs for six months.[9][10]

According to initial reports, the bridge was reopened ahead of schedule after repairs and without the required fitness certificate from the local civic authorities. It had more than 500 people on it while it had a capacity of only 125.[11] The chief officer of the municipality, who had given the contract for repairs after the 2001 earthquake, said the private firm responsible for the renovations "threw the bridge open to visitors without notifying us and therefore, we couldn't get a safety audit of the bridge conducted".[6]

Four days after reopening, the bridge collapsed.[12]

Incident[edit]

On 30 October, 2022, at 6:40 pm, the bridge collapsed. Security footage of the bridge showed the structure shaking violently and people holding onto cables and fencing on either side of the bridge, before the walkway gave way.[13] Later imaging showed the walkway had divided at the mid-point, with some pieces still hanging from snapped cables, during rescue operations.[13] A survivor claimed there were too many people on the bridge and they could barely move, and some victims were crushed by pieces of the bridge.[13] Five teams from the National Disaster Response Force started rescue operations.[14] Later they were joined by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force staff.[15] Police, military and disaster response teams were deployed for rescue operations.[16]

At least 141 people were confirmed dead and more than 180 were rescued, with many still missing.[17] A large number of the victims were teens, women and elderly.[13]

The Government of India and the Government of Gujarat announced the ex gratia payment of ₨2 lakh (US$2,800) and ₨4 lakh (US$5,600) respectively to next of kin of each person who died, and ₨50,000 (US$700) to the injured.[15][18]

Investigation[edit]

A five-member committee was formed by the Government of Gujarat to investigate and determine the cause.[19][20] Eight people have been investigated over the incident.[21]

A first information report (FIR) was filed against the maintenance and management agencies of the bridge under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional act causing death) and 114 (abettor present when offence committed) of the Indian Penal Code.[19][22] MP Mohan Kundariya, who lost 12 family members, including his sister, in the incident,[1] said he believed the cause was overloading.[4] A spokesperson for the operators Oreva told The Indian Express that it appeared too many people were in the middle section of the bridge "trying to sway it".[5][23]

Response[edit]

Prime Minister Narendra Modi[24] and Union Home Minister Amit Shah offered condolences.[25]

Opposition Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leader Rahul Gandhi appealed to party workers for assistance.[26]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Thomas, Merlyn; Peter, Laurence (31 October 2022). "India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing". BBC. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  2. "Gujarat bridge collapse live updates: Over 60 dead as recently renovated bridge collapses in Morbi, several feared trapped". The Times of India.
  3. Khanna, Sumit (30 October 2022). "At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse, state minister says". Reuters. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Recently renovated cable bridge collapses in Gujarat, several injured: Top developments". The Times of India. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Gujarat: Suspension bridge collapses in Morbi, more than 125 dead". The Indian Express. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Gujarat: Suspension bridge collapses in Morbi, more than 125 dead". The Indian Express. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  7. "5 Facts About Old Bridge In Gujarat That Collapsed". NDTV. 31 October 2022.
  8. "Pedestrian bridge collapses in India, killing at least 132". NBC News. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  9. Achmad, Meidy (30 October 2022). "Suspension Bridge in India Collapses, Even though it Was Just Completed Last Week's Renovation". Bingkai Nasional (in Bahasa Indonesia). Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  10. Khanna, Sumit (30 October 2022). "At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse, state minister says". Reuters. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. "Hundreds plunge into the river after India bridge collapses". BBC News. BBC. 30 October 2022.
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "Pedestrian bridge collapses in India, killing at least 132". NBC News. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. 15.0 15.1 "Morbi bridge collapse updates: Army, Air Force and Navy join NDRF for rescue ops". Hindustan Times. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  16. "India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 132, many still missing". BBC News. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  17. "Gujarat Morbi bridge collapse, accident news today: Death toll rises to 135; rescue operation underway". Zee Business. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  18. "Morbi bridge collapse: Toll rises to over 140, probe on". cnbctv18.com. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  19. 19.0 19.1 "Morbi bridge collapse: Toll rises to over 140, probe on". cnbctv18.com. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  20. "अब तक 132 की मौत, मेंटिनेंस कंपनी के खिलाफ एफआईआर दर्ज, SIT करेगी जांच". Amar Ujala (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  21. "As it happened: India bridge collapse tragedy". BBC News. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  22. "India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 132, many still missing". BBC News. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  23. ""Some People Shook Bridge Intentionally": Gujarat Family's Narrow Escape". NDTV. 31 October 2022.
  24. "Gujarat Morbi Bridge Collapse LIVE Updates: My heart goes out to Morbi bridge collapse victims, says PM Modi; rescue operations continue". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  25. Kumar, Raju (31 October 2022). "Gujarat bridge collapse: How political circle reacted | 'A man-made tragedy', says Congress". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  26. PTI (30 October 2022). "Gujarat bridge collapse: Kharge, Rahul ask Cong workers to provide all help in rescue ops". ThePrint. Retrieved 31 October 2022.

Template:Disasters in India in 2022