Search and rescue operations continue in the city of Morbi. The bridge had been closed for maintenance work and was reopened a few days ago. The Catholic Church is on the front line to provide help. The local archbishop, Mons. Thomas Macwan: “Even in this tragedy we will witness God’s love through our service apostolate.”
Morbi () – At least 141 dead is the balance of the collapse of a pedestrian suspension bridge over the Machhu River, which occurred last night in the city of Morbi, in the western state of Gujarat. The bridge had been reopened a few days ago after being repaired. Meanwhile, search operations in the river continue to find the missing. So far, rescuers managed to save 177 people.
The Pbro. Johnson Kadaparambil, parish priest of the church of Santa Maria de Morbi, explained to : “The bridge is about three kilometers from our church. The parish is carrying out a preliminary investigation, identifying the people affected by the tragedy, although it is very difficult to reach the place where the accident occurred, but we are helping the families of the victims”.
According to some reports, several people were marching across the bridge for the Hindu festivals of Diwali and Chhath Puja. The bridge, which is more than a century old, is a well-known tourist attraction in India and had been closed in March this year for maintenance work. Apparently, it still did not have the authorization certificate from the municipality when it was reopened to the public on October 26.
It is not the first time that Morbi has suffered a tragedy: in 1979 a dam collapsed and flooded the city; In 2001 an earthquake killed more than 12,000 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in this catastrophe, many people have lost their lives, families have lost their loved ones, everyone has lost a son, a daughter, a mother or a father. There is a lot of suffering, it is a terrible accident. It should never have happened,” said Monsignor Thomas Macwan, Archbishop of Gandhinagar. “I offer my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and injured, and I pray that God’s comfort will strengthen them in the midst of pain.”
Whenever catastrophes and calamities occur, the Church of Gujarat intervenes in relief operations by sending its own personnel.
“Christians are 0.5% of the population of Gujarat and Catholics are 0.25%, but the Catholic Church has always been at the forefront, without discriminating caste or creed. Even in this tragedy, we will witness the love of God through our apostolate of service,” the archbishop added.
