Morbi bridge collapse: CM, NDRF, Army at site as rescue ops continue

The suspension bridge (popularly called the 'Jhoolta Pool') in Gujarat's Morbi town over the Machchhu river collapsed Sunday evening, plunging people into the river below. (Reuters)

The death toll in the incident rose to 133, official sources said Monday morning. As many as 93 people were reported to be injured. (Nirmal Harindran)

Rescue operations were underway Monday morning, with teams of the NDRF, Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force pitching in. (Nirmal Harindran)

Home minister Harsh Sanghavi (in photo) and Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reached the site of the incident to overlook the relief operations. CM Patel has announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)

The bridge was closed seven months ago for repairs and reopened on October 26 (Gujarati New Year Day) for tourists and people at large, without a fitness certificate from the Morbi municipality.(Reuters)

Authorities said more than 400 people were on and around the colonial-era suspension bridge at the time of the collapse. (PTI Photo)

Eight platoons of the SDRF, and seven teams from the fire brigade are also at the accident site. (Express Photo)

The 230-metre bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. The Oreva Group, a private responsible for maintaining it, said that prima facie, the bridge may have collapsed as "too many people in the mid-section of the bridge were trying to sway it from one way to the other." (PTI Photo)