PM Modi to visit Morbi bridge tragedy site today

At least 140 people were killed after a suspension bridge, a tourist attraction in Gujarat’s Morbi town collapsed on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit the Morbi tragedy site later on Tuesday, November 1, where a British era suspension bridge collapsed into Machchu river, killing at least 140 people including 45 kids and over 50 women in a worst human tragedy the state has witnessed in recent years. 

As per the details, PM Modi will visit the site where the bridge collapsed on Sunday evening, then visit the civil hospital where some persons who were injured are under treatment and will hold a review meeting of the situation. 

On Monday late night, PM held a review meeting at Gandhinagar Raj Bhawan and directed Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and top officials of the state to ensure all assistance is provided to those who are injured and affected in the calamity. 

In the review meeting held at the Raj Bhawan, it was decided to observe a day long mourning in the state on November 2nd in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated bridge incident in Morbi, an erstwhile princely state and now a major bustling town known for its factories making ceramic tiles, construction materials and wall clocks near Rajkot in Saurashtra region of Gujarat. 

Also read: Editorial | The burden of tragedy: On the Morbi bridge tragedy in Gujarat

Shocked with the horrific tragedy, the entire town remained closed, mourning the deaths of innocent people, whose week-end stroll at the heritage bridge that remained an identity of Morbi for over a century, turned into a carnage. 

Meanwhile, the Gujarat government continued to face series allegations over the tragedy and questions have been raised over how a wall clock and electric bulbs and calculator-making firm was handed over the maintenance of the suspension bridge for 15 years while seemingly neglecting the safety aspects.