Gujarat: Vladimir Putin condoles loss of lives in Morbi bridge tragedy

Putin has conveyed his condolences over a deadly bridge collapse to India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Dear Ms President, dear Mr Prime Minister, please accept my heartfelt condolences over the tragic bridge collapse in the state of Gujarat," the message reads as quoted by TASS news agency.

Nepal PM Sher Bahadur Deuba tweeted: " I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of precious lives. Our thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families."

Singapore's high commissioner to India, Simon Wong, tweeted: "Deeply saddened by the lost of many lives due to the collapse of the cable bridge in Morbi, Gujarat. Our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and the injured. Our hearts are with the people of Gujarat."

British high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, remarked: "Terrible, shocking news from #Gujarat."

A First Information Report for culpable homicide has been registered by the Gujarat Police after a century-old bridge collapsed in Morbi, killing over 140 people, as per officials.

The case was registered hours after Sunday evening the colonial era cable bridge snapped in Morbi town plunging hundreds of people into the 10-feet deep Machchhu river below.

Police said the bridge that had just been reopened less than a week back for the public was crammed with people when it collapsed around 6:30 pm.

Most of the people who came on the bridge had come for Chhath Puja.

The case has been filed under IPC sections 304 and 308 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) even as several are missing and more than a 100 have been admitted and are under treatment, officials have told the media.

Rajkot range IG Ashok Yadav earlier on Monday put the toll at 132 as he said that seven more injured were hospitalised and feared the toll could increase. Searching for people in the river is still underway, he added.