Bhavnagar: 30 people are dead in truck accident in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat today morning.

Nearly 60 persons were traveling in open truck from Aniyali village near Palitana to Tatam village near Gadhda to participate in wedding of son of Pravinbhai. The wedding party left village at around 7.00 am. Groom Jay along with some relatives was in separate vehicle.

The truck fell into 20 ft deep water carrying channel near Randhola on Bhavnagar – Rajkot highway and overturned. The bridge was narrow. Two separate lanes were under construction on both side of narrow bridge. The truck hit rallying of narrow bridge and fell into the channel. The truck fell on concrete base platform of under construction bridge.

Rescue operation primarily was participated by locals of Randhola village including deputy Sarpanch Mr. Rabari and local BJP worker Mr. Vashram. In later part of rescue operation, cranes were called from Bhavnagar, Sihor and Botad to lift the people. Fire brigade team also joined the rescue operation.

Those injured were taken to nearby hospitals including Sir T hospital in Bhavnagar. Dead bodies were taken to Bhavnagar for postmortem. The district collector initially confirmed 25 deaths. However, later the death toll rose to 32.

Meanwhile wedding of both sisters of Koli family completed in Tatam village in simple manner. Those in wedding were not informed about the sad news of accident. Groom Jay’s mother-father were dead in accident, but Jay and some other relatives were in separate car and therefore they survived and reached wedding venue. Lunch over wedding was cancelled, but ceremonies were completed.

Gujarat government has announced Rs 4 lakh relief to nearest relative of each victim in special case from Chief Minister’s fund.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said: My condolences to all those who lost their loved ones due to an accident near Ranghola in Gujarat. The accident was extremely unfortunate and anguishing. May those who have been injured recover at the earliest.

My condolences to all those who lost their loved ones due to an accident near Ranghola in Gujarat. The accident was extremely unfortunate and anguishing. May those who have been injured recover at the earliest: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 6, 2018

State BJP chief and Bhavnagar MLA Jitubhai Vaghani said he along with minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama would visit Bhavnagar.

Meanwhile the locals have pointed out that bridge at Ranghola was under construction for last over four years. Locals said entire Rajkot – Bhavnagar highway project has been completed barring this bridge at Ranghola.

 

 

DeshGujarat