Bridge intentionally shaken, narrowly avoiding disaster for Gujarat family

In the heart of Gujarat, the picturesque town of Morbi was plunged into sorrow as a British-era suspension bridge collapsed on Sunday evening, eliminating at least 90 individuals and leaving many more injured.

The incident occurred around 6.30 pm, with the bridge collapsing due to overcrowding. The bridge, which had reopened for the public just four days prior, was teeming with a significant crowd, many of whom were children on their Diwali vacation.

Vijay Goswami, a local resident, was one of the few who managed to escape the disaster. He had noticed dangerous behaviour on the bridge but found the bridge team unresponsive. Along with his relative, he returned from the bridge midway due to some youths shaking it.

As the bridge came crashing down, a 10-year-old child miraculously survived by holding onto a hanging rope. His parents, however, are still missing. Several children at the site reported their family members or parents as missing after the bridge collapse.

Rescue efforts were hindered due to reduced light at night. Local residents, however, rushed to the spot immediately after the bridge collapse and helped in the rescue efforts. A local resident even helped pull out several individuals alive.

The responsibility for the safety inspection of the old bridge before its reopening lay with the local municipal authorities and the Public Works Department.

The bridge collapse triggered memories of the Machchhu dam disaster of 1979, which was the last major event for Morbi. The tragedy has left the town in shock, with many mourning the loss of loved ones.

Former BJP MLA of Morbi, Kanti Amrutiya, joined the rescue teams. Mehul Raval, a survivor, estimated that there were almost 300 people on the bridge when it collapsed.

This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety inspections, especially for old structures. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected by this tragedy.