Morbi bridge collapse: World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Nepal’s Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, on Monday extended condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in a bridge collapse in Gujarat’s Morbi city.

A 140-year-old bridge, opened just last week, collapsed on Sunday evening, killing over 130 people, including many children.

In an official statement, Putin conveyed his condolences over the tragic incident to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Putin said, “Dear Ms President, dear Mr Prime Minister, please accept my heartfelt condolences over the tragic bridge collapse in the state of Gujarat.”

He also conveyed his words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and wished all those injured a speedy recovery, state-owned TASS news agency reported.

Taking to Twitter, Nepal Prime Minister Deuba expressed grief over the loss of “precious lives”, saying he is “deeply saddened” by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of precious lives. Our thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families,” Nepal PM said.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic incident of bridge collapse in Morbi, Gujarat. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of India on the loss of precious lives. Our thoughts & prayers are with the bereaved families.

— Sher Bahadur Deuba (@SherBDeuba) October 31, 2022

Citing BBC report on the collapse incident, British high commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, in a tweet, said: “Terrible, shocking news from #Gujarat.”

Terrible, shocking news from #Gujarat
https://t.co/3a3j86F029

— Alex Ellis (@AlexWEllis) October 30, 2022

Singapore’s high commissioner to India, Simon Wong, also joined Ellis. “Deeply saddened by the loss of many lives due to the collapse of the cable bridge in Morbi, Gujarat. Our thoughts and deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and the injured. Our hearts are with the people of Gujarat,” he tweeted.

It is claimed that there were around 500 people on the “hanging bridge” when the cable broke on Sunday evening, causing hundreds to fall into the river. According to officials, the bridge can only carry the weight of 125 people.

The Gujarat government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of the deceased, while PM Narendra Modi dedicated a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of those killed in the mishap.