ON CAMERA: Some youths shook suspension bridge in Morbi, visitor recounts; BJP leader alleges conspiracy

ON CAMERA: Some youths shook suspension bridge in Morbi, visitor recounts; BJP leader alleges conspiracy

Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday set up a five member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an IAS officer, to inquire into the suspension bridge collapse in the Morbi town.

FPJ Web DeskUpdated: Monday, October 31, 2022, 12:17 AM IST
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In the video, all that can be seen is a crowd thronging the bridge as they pass, with some people kicking their heels | Video screengrab

More than 90 people, including children, were killed and over 100 were missing as the hanging bridge on the Machhu dam in Gujarat's Morbi collapsed.

Now a video has emerged where hundreds of people were seen on the bridge, jumping and running on it. The cable bridge was seen swaying vigorously. Today, it came crashing down.

Watch the video below.

Some youths shook suspension bridge, warned staff but they were indifferent: Visitor recounts

For Ahmedabad resident Vijay Goswami and his family members, it was a close shave as they had visited the suspension bridge in Gujarat's Morbi on Sunday afternoon, but returned halfway through the bridge out of fear after some youths from the crowd started shaking it.

A few hours later, their fears proved right when that bridge on the Machchhu river, a tourist attraction, collapsed around 6.30 pm, killing at least 60 people.

Goswami said when he and his family were on the bridge, some youths started shaking the bridge intentionally, making it difficult for people to walk. He said since he felt this act could prove dangerous, he and family returned without proceeding further on the bridge. He said he even alerted the bridge staff about it, but they were indifferent.

The British era bridge had reopened for the public just four days back after remaining shut for renovation work for seven months.

Goswami said he had gone to Morbi with family to enjoy the Diwali vacation.

"There was a huge crowd on the bridge. My family and I were on the bridge when some youths started shaking it intentionally. It was impossible for people to stand without holding any support. Since I had a feeling that it may prove dangerous, my family and I came back after covering some distance on the bridge," Goswami told reporters after reaching Ahmedabad.

"Before leaving the spot, I alerted the on-duty staff to stop people from shaking the bridge. However, they were only interested in selling tickets and told us that there is no system to control the crowd. Hours after we left, our fears turned true as the bridge eventually collapsed," he said.

Meanwhile, a BJP worker Arun Yadav presented this video as supposed proof of a "conspiracy to defame Gujarat," adding that the supposed perpetrators of this "conspiracy" should be jailed immediately.

Guj govt sets up 5-member probe panel

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday set up a five member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by an IAS officer, to inquire into the suspension bridge collapse in the Morbi town.

The SIT will be headed by Commissioner of Municipalities Rajkumar Beniwal, and the other members are Secretary, Roads and Building Department, Sandeep Vasava, Inspector General of Police Subhash Trivedi, and two engineers specialised in structural and quality control.

The state government has deployed four NDRF teams, as well as defence personnel in search and rescue operations, and even summoned swimmers and divers from surrounding districts.

According to locals, the bridge contractor was charging Rs 12 and 17 from visitors.

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