CNN
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More than 50 kids are amongst 135 folks killed in Sunday’s bridge collapse in India’s Gujarat state, in line with a listing of victims revealed by state authorities on Wednesday.
Investigators are examining why the historic suspension bridge in the city of Morbi collapsed, sending dozens of individuals into the river beneath, in one of many worst public security tragedies to hit the nation in current years.
Questions have been raised about how the slender walkway collapsed and the function of {an electrical} manufacturing firm tasked with sustaining the colonial-era construction, which solely reopened to the general public final week after repairs.
Here’s what we know.
Some 200 individuals are estimated to have been on the bridge throughout the Machchhu River in the city of Morbi when it collapsed on October 30 at round 6:30 p.m. native time, in line with Gujarat authorities.
According to figures launched Wednesday, 54 kids had been among the many useless. Most had been underneath 10 years previous – the youngest was a 2-year-old boy.
A 36-second video clip shared by the Morbi District Administration by way of CNN affiliate News-18 reveals a big crowd of younger males gathered on the bridge in the moments earlier than it collapsed.
The video seems to point out a number of the males shaking the bridge backward and forward earlier than the construction offers manner, plunging the folks standing on it into the river.
Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated on October 31 {that a} cable appeared to have snapped.
Photos from the aftermath present folks gathering on the riverbank beside the mangled steel walkway, which hung at a pointy angle into the water.
Survivors and witnesses of the deadly incident described scenes of chaos.
“People were hanging from the bridge after the accident, but they slipped and fell into the river when it collapsed,” Raju, a witness who gave just one identify, instructed Reuters. “I could not sleep the entire night as I had helped in the rescue operation. I brought a lot of children to the hospital.”
Narendrasinh Jadeja, whose pal misplaced seven members of his household, together with 4 kids, instructed Reuters: “I cannot express how angry and helpless I am feeling.”
The Morbi Suspension Bridge was constructed throughout British rule round 1900 and is 230 meters (755 toes) lengthy and simply 1.25 meters (4 toes) large.
For many years, it’s been a well-liked vacationer attraction in the riverside city, whose cobblestone streets carry the architectural legacy of colonial rule.
The bridge was closed for six months of renovations in April, in line with the managing director of Oreva, a Gujarat-based electrical home equipment producer that oversaw the upkeep work.
Video reveals folks clinging to wreckage after deadly bridge crash
At a reopening ceremony on October 26, the managing director told reporters the construction wouldn’t want any main work for “eight to 10 years,” in line with a video of the occasion posted to social media.
A five-person particular investigation committee has been established to analyze the incident, Gujarat Home Minister Sanghavi stated on October 31.
Search and restoration operations by tons of of personnel from state and nationwide catastrophe reduction groups and the Indian navy stay ongoing.
Nine folks have been arrested and are being investigated for culpable murder expenses, state police stated on October 31. All of the suspects are related to Oreva.
They embrace two managers, two ticket clerks, two contractors and three safety guards, in line with senior police officer Ashok Kumar Yadav.
Since the deadly incident, public scrutiny has turned to Oreva, an organization based mostly in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest metropolis.
Oreva began out as a clockmaker earlier than diversifying into electronics, in line with its web site, which describes the agency because the “World’s Largest Clock Manufacturing Company” and “one of the Major Brands in India.”
CNN has reached out to Oreva a number of instances, however has not obtained a response.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on the website of the deadly collapse in Morbi on November 1.
Following an aerial survey of the realm, he was seen taking inventory of rescue efforts underway as he stood at one finish of the collapsed suspension bridge.
“Went to Morbi, which witnessed the horrific bridge mishap. Met the bereaved families and extended condolences. I visited the site of the tragedy and went to the hospital where the injured are recovering,” Modi tweeted after visiting an area hospital.
The Indian chief added that he met personnel concerned with rescue operations and chaired a assessment assembly.
The Chief Minister’s Office of Gujarat tweeted that Modi had “assured them of all possible assistance from the government.”
Search and restoration operations continued on Tuesday as divers scanned the realm for our bodies.
Families of the victims will obtain compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, Modi stated earlier.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated the state authorities would supply the equal of about $5,000 in compensation per household of the deceased and about $600 every for the injured.
Cremations of the victims are anticipated to start on November 1.
World leaders have paid tribute to the victims and their households in the wake of the tragedy.
US President Joe Biden despatched his condolences to those that misplaced family members through the collapse.
“Today, our hearts are with India. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the bridge collapse and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of too many lives cut short,” Biden stated in an announcement Monday.
“The United States and India are indispensable partners, with deep bonds between our citizens. In this difficult hour, we will continue to stand with and support the Indian people.”
China’s President Xi Jinping additionally expressed his sympathies to Modi, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
“On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I would like to express our deep condolences to the victims and extend our sincere sympathy to their families and the injured,” Xi stated, in line with CCTV.
