AntoineScaby at 20:21, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T20:21:30Z

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{{Short description|Bridge collapse in Gujarat, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox event
|title = 2022 Morbi bridge collapse
|image = Hanging Bridge from Opposite Side Morbi - panoramio.jpg
|type = [[List of bridge failures|Bridge failure]]
|caption = {{center| The bridge photographed in 2008}}
|date = {{start date|2022|10|30|df=yes}}
|time = 18:40
|timezone = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]], [[UTC+5:30]]
|location = [[Morbi]], [[Gujarat]], India
|coordinates = {{Coord|22|49|06|N|70|50|34|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
|reported deaths = 141<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langa |first1=Mahesh |title=Morbi bridge collapse tragedy: 141 deaths reported so far |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-death-toll-in-morbi-bridge-collapse-tragedy-exceeds-130/article66076100.ece |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=31 October 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
|reported injuries = 180+
|missing =
|map = {{Location map|India Gujarat#India|relief=1|lat_deg=22.818333|lon_deg=70.842778|caption=}}
}}

On 30 October 2022, a pedestrian [[suspension bridge]] over the [[Machchhu River]] in the city of [[Morbi]] in [[Gujarat]], [[India]], collapsed, causing the deaths of at least 141 people and injuries to more than 180 others.

The 19th-century bridge had reopened five days earlier, in time for [[Diwali]] and the [[New Year#Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere|Gujarati New Year]], following a lengthy closure for repairs.

==Background==
''Jhulto Pul''<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2022-11-01 |title=Morbi bridge collapse {{!}} Generations wiped out in disaster |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/morbi-bridge-collapse-generations-wiped-out-in-disaster/article66083435.ece |access-date=2022-11-04 |issn=}}</ref> ({{langx|gu|ઝૂલતો પુલ}}; "hanging bridge") was a {{Convert|230|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}}, {{Convert|1.25|m|ft|adj=mid|-wide}} pedestrian suspension bridge, {{Convert|15|m|ft}}<ref name=pandey/><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-31 |title=History of 143-year-old Morbi bridge |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/history-of-143-year-old-morbi-bridge-that-had-just-been-reopened-after-renovation-before-it-came-crashing-down-15050851.htm |access-date=2022-11-04 |website=cnbctv18.com}}</ref> over the [[Machchhu River]],<ref name="bbc141">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-63445154 |title=India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing |last1=Thomas |first1=Merlyn |last2=Peter |first2=Laurence |date=2022-10-31 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2022-10-31}}</ref> connecting the districts of Mahaprabhuji and Samakantha.<ref name="Kumar">{{cite web |last1=Kumar |first1=Anurag |title=All You Need To Know About Gujarat |url=https://www.india.com/gujarat/morbi-gujarat-macchhu-updates-all-you-need-to-know-about-gujarats-heritage-bridge-which-collapsed-killing-over-30-5714182/ |website=www.india.com |access-date=1 November 2022 |date=2022-10-30}}</ref> It was built during [[British Raj|British rule in India]] in the 19th century.<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite news |last=Khanna |first=Sumit |date=2022-10-30 |title=At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse, state minister says |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/suspension-bridge-collapses-india-hundreds-fall-river-officials-2022-10-30/ |access-date=2022-10-30}}</ref><ref name="timesofindia_30102022" /> Dates for its construction vary, but according to locals, it was built in the 1880s by [[Waghji II Rawaji|Waghji Thakore]], the local [[maharaja]].<ref name="bbc63477292" /> It connected Darbargadh Palace with [[Nazarbag Palace]] (now Lukhdhirji Engineering College), the residences of the erstwhile royal family of [[Morvi State|Morbi State]].<ref name=":1" />

At that time, there was a limit of fifteen people on the bridge at once, as the narrow structure meant it swayed with any greater weight.<ref name="Independent-Sharma">{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shweta |date=2022-11-01 |title=How India's bridge collapse tragedy that killed 135 unfolded |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/india/india-bridge-collapse-gujarat-morbi-timeline-b2215015.html |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="IndianExpress125">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-30 |title=Gujarat: Suspension bridge collapses in Morbi, more than 125 dead |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-morbi-suspension-bridge-collapse-8239336/ |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

In recent times the bridge was owned and operated as a [[toll bridge]] by the Morbi municipality, which signed a contract with the Morbi-based private trust [[Oreva]]{{snd}}a company known for making clocks<ref name=pandey/><ref>{{cite news| last=Kateshiya | first=Gopal | title=Oreva Group traces its origin to India's leading clock brand | newspaper=The Indian Express | date=1 November 2022 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/oreva-group-traces-its-origin-to-indias-leading-clock-brand-8241596/}}</ref>{{snd}}for maintenance and operations on 7 March 2022.<ref name="IndianExpress1252">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-30 |title=Gujarat: Suspension bridge collapses in Morbi, more than 125 dead |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/gujarat-morbi-suspension-bridge-collapse-8239336/ |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=31 October 2022 |title=5 Facts About Old Bridge In Gujarat That Collapsed |work=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/5-facts-about-old-bridge-in-gujarat-that-collapsed-today-3474913}}</ref><ref name="Independent-Sharma"/> The 15-year contract was with Oreva's flagship company, Ajanta Manufacturing Private Limited, which had been involved with the bridge since 2008.<ref name="Independent-Sharma"/> The agreement covered the maintenance and management of the bridge.<ref name="Independent-Sharma"/><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Pedestrian bridge collapses in India, killing at least 132 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-bridge-collapse-rcna54759 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=NBC News}}</ref> The toll bridge reopened on 26 October 2022 on the occasion of the Gujarati New Year, after being closed for repairs for six months.<ref name="Reuters2">{{Cite news |last=Khanna |first=Sumit |date=2022-10-30 |title=At least 40 killed in India bridge collapse, state minister says |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/india/suspension-bridge-collapses-india-hundreds-fall-river-officials-2022-10-30/ |access-date=2022-10-30}}</ref> After the refurbishment, it had an updated capacity of 125 people (up from the 15 it was before). At the re-opening ceremony, Oreva's managing director told the reporters that the people could enjoy a "care-free adventure" and the bridge would not need any major work for another eight to ten years.<ref name="Independent-Sharma"/>

==Collapse==
On 30 October 2022, five days after reopening,<ref name="bbc63477292">{{cite news |title=Morbi bridge collapse: How a tourist spot became a bridge of death |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63477292 |access-date=2 November 2022 |work=BBC News |date=2 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2022 |title=Hundreds plunge into the river after India bridge collapses |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-63445154}}</ref> the bridge collapsed at 6:40{{nbs}}p.m. More than 500 people were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, far exceeding the official capacity of 125.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ankit |first=Tyagi |date=31 October 2022 |editor-last=Ghosh |editor-first=Deepshikha |title=Exclusive: Gujarat Bridge Reopened Ahead Of Schedule. 135 Dead |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusive-gujarat-bridge-reopened-in-7-months-in-clear-contract-violation-3475840 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031103542/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/exclusive-gujarat-bridge-reopened-in-7-months-in-clear-contract-violation-3475840 |archive-date=31 October 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=NDTV}}</ref> Security footage of the bridge showed the structure shaking violently and people holding onto cables and fencing on either side of the bridge before the walkway gave way.<ref name="NBC31-10">{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Pedestrian bridge collapses in India, killing at least 132 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/india-bridge-collapse-rcna54759 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=NBC News}}</ref> Images of rescue and recovery operations showed the walkway had divided at its midpoint, with some pieces still hanging from snapped cables.<ref name="NBC31-10"/>

A survivor said that so many people on the bridge could barely move and that pieces of the bridge crushed some victims.<ref name="NBC31-10" /> [[Mohan Kundariya]], a [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] who lost 12 family members including his sister in the incident,<ref name="bbc141" /> said he believed the cause was overloading.<ref name="timesofindia_30102022">{{Cite web |date=30 October 2022 |title=Recently renovated cable bridge collapses in Gujarat, several injured: Top developments |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/recently-renovated-cable-bridge-collapses-in-gujarat-several-injured-top-developments/articleshow/95184906.cms |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> A spokesperson for Oreva said that it appeared too many people were in the middle section of the bridge "trying to sway it".<ref name="IndianExpress125" /><ref>{{cite news |date=31 October 2022 |title="Some People Shook Bridge Intentionally": Gujarat Family's Narrow Escape |work=NDTV |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/some-people-shook-bridge-intentionally-visitor-recounts-gujarat-horror-3475223}}</ref>

The teams of State Disaster Response Force of Gujarat along with [[National Disaster Response Force]] started rescue operations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pandey |first=Tanushree |date=31 October 2022 |editor-last=Gauntam |editor-first=Aditi |title=141 Dead, Gujarat Bridge Was Disaster Waiting To Happen: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/death-count-in-gujarat-bridge-collapse-climbs-to-130-177-rescued-so-far-3475418 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221031103615/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/death-count-in-gujarat-bridge-collapse-climbs-to-130-177-rescued-so-far-3475418 |archive-date=31 October 2022 |access-date=31 October 2022 |website=NDTV}}</ref> Later they were joined by [[Indian Army|Army]], [[Indian Navy|Navy]], and [[Indian Air Force|Air Force]] staff.<ref name="Hindustan Times2">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-30 |title=Morbi bridge collapse updates: Army, Air Force, and Navy join NDRF for rescue ops |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-morbi-bridge-collapse-live-updates-40-dead-toll-expected-to-rise-say-police-president-pm-announce-aid-101667141878888.html |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Police, military, and disaster response teams were deployed for rescue operations.<ref name="BBC1322">{{Cite news |date=2022-10-30 |title=India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 132, many still missing |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63445154 |access-date=2022-10-31}}</ref>

==Victims==
At least 141 people were confirmed dead<ref>{{cite news |last1=Langa |first1=Mahesh |title=Morbi bridge collapse tragedy: 141 deaths reported so far |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-death-toll-in-morbi-bridge-collapse-tragedy-exceeds-130/article66076100.ece |access-date=24 November 2022 |work=The Hindu |date=31 October 2022 |language=en-IN}}</ref> and more than 180 were rescued.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-31 |title=Gujarat Morbi bridge collapse, accident news today: Death toll rises to 135; rescue operation underway |url=https://www.zeebiz.com/india/news-gujarat-morbi-bridge-collapse-accident-news-today-death-toll-rises-to-135-rescue-operation-underway-205359 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Zee Business}}</ref> A large number of the victims were women, the elderly,<ref name="NBC31-10" /> and children (39 boys and 16 girls) with the youngest fatality being an 18-month-old baby.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-05 |title=55 children among 135 killed in Morbi bridge collapse: Official data |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/55-children-among-135-killed-in-morbi-bridge-collapse-official-data-8250472/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-11-02 |title=Morbi Bridge Collapse {{!}} Cold comfort as cheques are handed out: 'What do I do with money?' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/morbi-bridge-collapse-cold-comfort-as-cheques-are-handed-out-what-do-i-do-with-money-8243693/ |access-date=2022-11-03 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref>

The [[Government of Gujarat]] announced an ''[[ex gratia]]'' payment of {{INRConvert|4|l|lk=l}} to the [[next of kin]] of each person who died, and {{INRConvert|50000}} to the injured.<ref name="Hindustan Times2" /><ref name="cnbc1402">{{Cite news|date=2022-10-31|title=Morbi bridge collapse: Toll rises to over 140, probe on |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/gujarat-morbi-bridge-collapse-latest-news-deaths-toll-fir-filed-probe-on-15049231.htm |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=cnbctv18.com}}</ref><ref name="D_60">{{Cite news |title=Live updates - Gujarat Cable Bridge Collapse: PM Modi chairs high-level meeting [title changes as timeline progresses]|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/gujarat-bridge-collapse-bridge-collapses-in-morbi-oct-30/liveblog/95173515.cms#post6 |work=[[The Times of India]]}} In timeline at 20:25 (IST) 30 October 2022</ref>

==Investigation==
{{update section|date=May 2023}}
Initial reports said that the bridge was reopened early after repairs, without the required certificate of fitness from the local civic authorities of Morbi municipality. The chief officer of the municipality, who had agreed on the contract for repairs after the [[2001 Gujarat earthquake|2001 earthquake]], said the private firm responsible for the renovations "threw the bridge open to visitors without notifying us, and therefore, we couldn't get a safety audit of the bridge conducted".<ref name="IndianExpress1252" />

A forensic report presented in court said that the bridge could not withstand the weight of the new heavy flooring given the cables were rusted, it had broken anchors, and the bolts connecting the aforementioned two were loose.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3,165 Tickets Issued On Day Gujarat Bridge Collapsed, Finds Damning Report: 10 Points |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/3-165-tickets-were-sold-to-visitors-on-day-bridge-in-gujarats-morbi-collapsed-killing-135-3542957 |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref><ref name="pandey" /> A five-member committee was formed by the Government of Gujarat to investigate and determine the cause.<ref name="cnbc140">{{Cite web |date=2022-10-31 |title=Morbi bridge collapse: Toll rises to over 140, probe on |url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/gujarat-morbi-bridge-collapse-latest-news-deaths-toll-fir-filed-probe-on-15049231.htm |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=cnbctv18.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=अब तक 132 की मौत, मेंटिनेंस कंपनी के खिलाफ एफआईआर दर्ज, SIT करेगी जांच |url=https://www.amarujala.com/live/india-news/morbi-bridge-collapse-update-rescue-operation-continues-81-killed-sit-will-investigate-the-accident |date=2022-11-01 |website=Amar Ujala |language=hi}}</ref> Nine people, all associated with the Oreva group, were arrested and subject to investigation:<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Shih |first1=Garry |last2=Masih |first2=Niha |last3=Irfan |first3=Shams |date=31 October 2022 |title=Indian police file homicide charges, arrest 9, as bridge toll passes 134 |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/31/india-bridge-gujarat-morbi-investigation/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Morbi bridge collapse: India police arrest nine after disaster | website=BBC News | date=31 October 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63453077}}</ref> two managers and two ticket clerks employed by Oreva, two contractors, and three hired security guards.<ref name="pandey">{{cite news| last=Pandey | first=Geeta | title=Morbi bridge collapse: How India tourist spot became a bridge of death | website=BBC News | date=2 November 2022 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63477292}}</ref>

A [[first information report]] was filed against the maintenance and management agencies of the bridge under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 308 (intentional act causing death), and 114 (abettor present when offence committed) of the Indian Penal Code.<ref name="cnbc140" /><ref name="BBC132">{{Cite news |date=2022-10-30 |title=India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 132, many still missing |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-63445154 |access-date=2022-10-31}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
*[[1979 Machchhu dam failure]]
*[[2016 Kolkata flyover collapse]]
*[[2019 Mumbai foot overbridge collapse]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{2020s building and structure collapses}}
{{Disasters in India in 2022}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morbi bridge collapse, 2022}}
[[Category:2022 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2020s in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Bridge disasters in India|Morbi]]
[[Category:Bridges in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Disasters in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Filmed deaths in India]]
[[Category:Morbi district]]
[[Category:October 2022 in India|Morbi]]
[[Category:Suspension bridges in India]]
[[Category:Bridge disasters caused by overloading]]
[[Category:Building and structure collapses in India]]
[[Category:Bridge collapses]]

2022 Morbi bridge collapse - Revision history

AntoineScaby at 20:21, 28 March 2026