A devastating bridge collapse in Gujarat, India, has resulted in the loss of 30 lives, with many more injured. The 100-year-old suspension bridge in Morbi, Gujarat, gave way while hundreds of people were on it, performing rituals for a major religious festival ¹.
The Incident
The bridge, which was reopened four days ago after repairs and renovation by a private trust, collapsed around 6:30 p.m. Over 350 people were on the bridge at the time of the incident, far exceeding its official capacity of 125. The bridge has not reportedly received a fitness certificate from civic authorities ¹ ².
Rescue Operations
Rescue teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Navy, and Air Force, were deployed to the site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person and ₹50,000 to the injured ¹ ².
Investigation and Accountability
A five-member committee was formed to investigate the incident. Nine people, including managers and contractors of the Oreva Group, were arrested and charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The investigation revealed that the bridge’s cables were rusted, and the bolts connecting the structure were loose ³ ⁴.
Similar Incidents
This is not the first bridge collapse in Gujarat. In July 2025, a bridge in Vadodara collapsed, killing 20 people. The incident highlights concerns about the safety of aging infrastructure in India ⁵ ⁶.