The National Disaster Response Force on Sunday rushed three teams to Gujarat's Morbi district where more than 60 people were killed after a suspension bridge over a river collapsed, according to media reports.
NDRF Director General (DG) Atul Karwal told PTI that the three teams have been moved from state capital Gandhinagar and Vadodara.
Another team will be airlifted in some time and it will move via road from Rajkot to the accident site, he said.
The teams comprise senior officers and rescuers, and they are carrying the required equipment, Karwal said.
A bridge, nearly a century-old, on the Machchhu river collapsed this evening. Several people standing on the bridge fell into the river, local officials said.
The bridge, which was recently reopened for the public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people, they said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Gujarat CM and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected.
The bridge, which was recently reopened for public after renovation, collapsed as it could not bear the weight of the people standing on it, they said."Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river.
Prime Minister has also announced announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives in the mishap in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
The prime minister has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and all possible help be extended to those affected.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has expressed grief at the mishap.
"I am deeply concerned about the tragic bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat, that has cost several innocent lives and left many trapped. My deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased. I pray that the injured have a speedy recovery," she wrote on Twitter.
