Morbi bridge collapse: 9 arrested, death toll rises to 135

Morbi bridge collapse: 9 arrested, death toll rises to 135

On Monday, police arrested nine people and launched a criminal investigation into the collapse of a suspension bridge in the Indian state of Morbi town.

The death toll from the incident, which occurred late Sunday, rose to 135, making it one of the country's worst accidents in the past decade or more.

A colonial-era bridge over the Machu River in Morbi was filled with visitors enjoying holiday celebrations when it collapsed on Sunday evening, plunging people into about 10 meters (33 feet) of water.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a review meeting on Monday to discuss the situation and is scheduled to visit the small industrial town in his home state on Tuesday.

The bridge was built over a century ago in 1877 and reopened after extensive repairs and renovations. Reports show that nine unnamed persons responsible for remodeling, maintenance, and scaffolding management have been detained.

Local officials said this happened after a private operator took up the work and opened the bridge without any qualification certificate.

"We registered an FIR against negligence under sections 304, 308, and 104," while the police and administration "responded quickly."

Indian police on Monday arrested nine people, including ticket clerks and contractors, as they investigated the bridge collapse.

The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 400,000 ($4,856) to the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 ($600) to the injured.