Morbi bridge tragedy: death toll rises to 140; 9 arrested

Morbi-based Oreva Group was awarded the contract in March this year to maintain and manage the bridge

A day after the Morbi bridge collapse in Gujarat, the police arrested nine persons, including the managers of private contractor Oreva Group and ticket clerks and security guards.

The death toll in the bridge tragedy climbed to at least 140 on Monday. As many as 177 persons were rescued during the search and rescue operation conducted by multiple agencies including the Navy, Army, fire brigade and disaster response forces at the national and State levels.

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“We have arrested nine people after filing FIR under various sections of IPC. The arrested persons include the managers of Oreva company and ticket clerks,” Ashok Yadav, IG, Rajkot range told journalists.

Mr. Yadav added that “no one will be spared” as the investigation has just begun.

An FIR has been filed by Morbi B Division Police against maintenance and management agencies of the bridge under Sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (attempt to commit culpable homicide) & 114 (abettor present when offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code.

Among the victims were 47 children and over 50 women, with many families losing multiple members.