Gujarat: Morbi Cable bridge collapses, over 60 killed and more than 100 feared to be trapped in the river.

A cable bridge over Machchhu river collapsed in Morbi city this evening.

According to information by BJP MP from Rajkot Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya to news agency, ANI, more than 60 bodies have been recovered and several people are feared injured.

Most of the bodies recovered were mostly of children, women and elderly people.

Reportedly, around 400 people were on the bridge at the time of mishap and the incident is  believed to have occurred due to overload.

Rescue operations are currently underway.

The Gujarat CM, Bhupendra Rajnikanth Patel informed that teams of SDRF as well as two platoons of State Reserve Police (SRP) were ordered to reach the incident for search and rescue operations. Later, a total of 5 NDRF teams with 50 personnel of Indian Navy,30 personnel of IAF along with 2 columns of Army personnel&7 teams of Fire Brigade with advanced equipment from Rajkot,Jamnagar, Diu & Surendranagar had also left for the spot, CM informed.

According to Defence officials as reported by ANI, "IAF plane with NDRF team has taken off for relief operations. Another aircraft to be sent in an hour’s time. Helicopters have also been put on stand-by for rescue ops in Jamnagar & other nearby locations. Garud commandos sent from Bhuj & other locations for Morbi."

Further, an "Indian Army team from an artillery brigade near Dhrangdhra including doctors & paramedical staff also reached the accident site in Morbi & is taking part in rescue & relief operations", added the Defence officials.

Prime Minister Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi and Rs. 50,000 to the injured ones.

The bridge was reportedly reopened only five days ago after it had been closed for renovation for six months.

The  230-metre historic bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century and is a major tourist attraction.