Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences over the loss of life in the Vadodara bridge collapse. The Prime Minister also announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those who were killed in the incident.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s office, PM Modi said, “The loss of lives due to the collapse of a bridge in Vadodara district, Gujarat, is deeply saddening. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he said.
At least nine people were killed and several others were injured after several vehicles fell into a river following the collapse of a portion of a four-decade-old bridge in Gujarat’s Vadodara on Wednesday morning.
Five vehicles fell into the Mahisagar river after a slab of the Gambhira bridge, located on the river which connects central Gujarat and Saurashtra regions of the state, collapsed, Superintendent of Police (Vadodara rural), Rohan Anand told PTI. Till now, nine bodies have been recovered.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel condoled the loss of life in the bridge collapse incident, and ordered an immediate investigation in the matter.
“The tragedy caused by the collapse of one of the 23 spans of the Gambhira Bridge connecting Anand and Vadodara is tragic. I pray for the peace of the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragedy,” Patel posted on X.
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The Chief Minister said, “Instructions have been given to communicate with the Vadodara Collector to arrange immediate treatment for the injured and to arrange for it on priority.”
“The fire brigade team of the local municipality and Vadodara Municipal Corporation are working with boats and swimmers for rescue and relief operations at the accident site, and the NDRF team has also reached the scene and joined the rescue operations,” the X post further read.