CNN
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The deaths of 135 people in cable car bridge collapse In Of India The western state of Gujarat is one of the worst public safety tragedies to hit the country in recent years.
Like authorities investigating the case, Questions have been raised about how the narrow passageway collapsed and the role of an electricity generation company tasked with maintaining the colonial-era structure, reopening to the public only on last week after repair.
Here’s what we know.
About 200 people are estimated to have been on the bridge over the Machchhu River in the town of Morbi when it collapsed into the water below at around 6:30 p.m. local time on October 30, according to the Gujarat government.
At least 30 children were among the 135 killed, officials said. It is still unclear how many people are still missing and authorities have not released a number of those injured.
Video shows the moment of fatal bridge collapse in India
A 36-second video clip shared by the Morbi County Authority via CNN affiliate News-18 shows a crowd of young people gathered on the bridge in the moments before it collapsed.
Video appeared to show several men shaking the bridge from side to side before the structure gave way, plunging those standing on it into the river.
The Minister of Home Affairs of Gujarat, Mr. Harsh Sanghavi said on October 31 that a cable appears to have broken.
Photos from the aftermath show people gathering on the riverbank next to a sunken metal walkway, suspended at an acute angle into the water.
Survivors and eyewitnesses of the deaths described chaotic scenes.
“People hung themselves on the bridge after the accident, but they slipped and fell into the river when it collapsed,” Raju, a witness who gave only one name, told Reuters. “I couldn’t sleep all night because I helped in the rescue operation. I took a lot of children to the hospital.”
Narendrasinh Jadeja, a friend with seven family members including four children, told Reuters: “I can’t describe how angry and helpless I feel.”
The Morbi Suspension Bridge was built during British rule around 1900 and is 230 meters (755 feet) long and only 1.25 meters (4 feet) wide.
For decades, it was a popular tourist attraction in the waterfront town, whose cobblestone streets carry the architectural legacy of the colonial rule.
The bridge was closed for six months for renovations in April, according to the chief executive officer of Oreva, a Gujarat-based electrical equipment maker, according to the chief executive officer of Oreva, an equipment maker. electrician based in Gujarat who oversees maintenance work.
At the re-opening ceremony on October 26, the CEO told reporters The structure won’t need any major work in “8 to 10 years,” according to a video of the event posted on social media.
A special investigative committee of five has been set up to investigate the incident, Gujarat Home Minister Sangvi said on October 31.
Search and recovery operations by hundreds of personnel from state and national disaster relief teams and the Indian army are continuing.
State police said on October 31. All suspects are related to Oreva.
According to senior police officer Ashok Kumar Yadav, they include two managers, two ticket inspectors, two contractors and three security guards.
Since the deadly incident, public scrutiny has turned to Oreva, a company based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s largest city.
Oreva started out as a watch manufacturer before diversifying into electronics, according to its website, which describes the company as “The World’s Largest Watch Company” and “one of the big brands in India”.
CNN reached out to Oreva several times but received no response.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the site of a deadly tunnel collapse in Morbi on November 1.
After an aerial survey of the area, he was found participating in rescue efforts as he stood at one end of a collapsed suspension bridge.
“Went to Morbi, which witnessed a terrible bridge collapse. Meet the bereaved family and send our deepest condolences. I visited the place of the tragedy and went to the hospital where the injured are recovering,” Modi tweeted after visiting a local hospital.
The Indian leader added that he met with personnel involved in the rescue operation and chaired a review meeting.
Gujarat chief of staff tweeted that Modi had “assured them of all possible support from the government”.
Search and recovery operations continued on Tuesday as divers scour the area for bodies.
Earlier, Mr. Modi said the families of the victims would receive compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Gujarat Minister Bhupendra Patel said the state government would provide compensation equivalent to about $5,000 for each family of the dead and about $600 for each injured person.
The cremation of the victims is scheduled to begin on November 1.
World leaders paid their respects to the victims and their families in the wake of the tragedy.
US President Joe Biden offered condolences to those who lost loved ones in the house collapse.
“Today, our hearts go out to India. Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the bridge collapse and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of so many lives,” Biden said in a statement Monday.
“The United States and India are indispensable partners, with a deep bond between our citizens. In this difficult hour, we will continue to stand with and support the people of India.”
China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported that President Xi Jinping also expressed sympathy for Modi.
“On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people, I offer my deep condolences to the victims and extend my sincere sympathies to their families and those injured,” Xi said, according to CCTV.
