Morbi (Gujarat): Twelve family members of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Rajkot Mohanbhai Kundariya died in Gujarat's Morbi bridge collapse on Sunday.
Kundariya himself visited the spot in Morbi after the mishap and took stock of the rescue operation. "It is very saddening. Machinery is present at the spot to pump out the water so that we can figure out the bodies underneath, as there's a lot of silt. I believe the bridge got overloaded and that led to the incident. Many teams engaged in rescue," Kundariya said.
Meanwhile, the death toll in the Morbi disaster increased to 134. Gujarat government on Monday announced that a high-powered committee has been set up to investigate the incident of the collapse of the suspension bridge.
Also read: In pictures: Morbi disaster leaves trail of death and sorrow
Talking to the media, Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said, "The Chief Minister has constituted a high power committee yesterday itself while leaving Ahmedabad. All officers, posted at different locations, were asked to report at Morbi by 2 am. The investigation is going on."
The Gujarat Home Minister further informed that a criminal case has been registered in connection with the incident. "An investigation has begun today under the leadership of Range IGP," Sanghavi said. Everyone worked all through the night. The Navy, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), Air Force and Army arrived at the spot quickly. More than 200 persons have worked the entire night for search and rescue operations," Sanghavi said.
Teams including Army, Navy, Air Force, NDRF and Fire Brigade conducted a search operation throughout the night to find the victims who fell into the Macchu river after the bridge collapsed, as per officials.
Also read: Clock making firm entrusted with Morbi bridge upkeep and renovation
Indian Army teams deployed in Morbi, Gujarat carried out search and rescue operations for survivors of the mishap. All three defence services have deployed their teams for search operations. Three Indian Coast Guard teams consisting of divers, equipment, boats and other material have been deployed on-site at Morbi since last night, said Defence Ministry officials.
Meanwhile, four members of another family died in the bridge collapse. The deceased include three children and their mother. They have been identified as Hansaben Dabhi (mother), Tushar (8), Shyam (5) and Maya (2). According to sources, Rupeshbhai Dabhi went for a walk with his family to the bridge. As the bridge collapsed, the family plunged. Rupeshbhai was able to swim to the shore.
