The horrific tragedy of Julto Pul collapse in Morbi of Gujarat is one of the deadliest bridge accidents in the recent history of India and also the world. The breakdown of more than a century-old hanging bridge came just four days after it was renovated following some months of out of order.
The suspension bridge suddenly collapsed on Sunday evening leaving more than 140 killed, dozens missing and nearly 180 rescued to safety thanks to war-footing rescue operations by Army, Navy, Air Force and other national and state-level security force personnel.
The Gujarat state government and the Centre have announced compensation to the deceased and injured. Similarly, a special investigation team has also begun probe into the horrific disaster.
As the tragedy headlines the discussions in the entire country today, we take a look at some of the other deadliest bridge collapse incidents in the history of India and elsewhere in the last 20 years.
Mexico City overpass collapse
An overpass carrying a line of Mexico city train collapsed beneath a passing train in the borough of Tlahuac killing 26 people and injuring around 100 others in May 2021.
Ponte Morandi motorway incident
In August 2018, a 210 metre long section of a motorway bridge collapsed in Genoa leaving more than 40 people dead.
Vivekananda Flyover Bridge collapse
In 2016 flyover under constructed on Vivekananda Road Kolkata suddenly caved after bolts holding the section of the bridge snapped killing 27 and injuring around 80 others.
Kutai Kartanegara incident
The collapse of Kutai Kartanegara Bridge is probably the most horrific bridge mishaps in the history of Indonesia. In November 2011, at least 20 people were killed, 40 injured and more than 30 untreacable after the suspension bridge caved into Mahakam river in Borneo. An arc bridge has been newly constructed in place of the crash site.
Kota mishap
An under-construction bridge completely collapsed in Kota area of Rajasthan in 2009 killing 48 people and leaving several seroously injured.
Can Tho mishap
In 2007, a section of the Can Tho Bridge in Vietnam buckled during construction work due to collapse of a temporay pillar leaving as many as 55 people dead and hundreds injured.
Tuo River bridge accident
A bridge over Tuo river in Hunan province of China totally collapsed resulting in a horrific disaster in 2007. Reports said the mishap killed 34 and injured more than 20 others. The accident is stated to have occured while workers were removing scaffolding during contruction at the bridge.
Minneapolis bridge incident
The I-35W bridge over Mississipi river totally failed killing 13 people and injuring 145 others in 2007.
Guinea bridge mishap
In another horrific mishap in 2007, a bridge collapsed under the impact of an overloaded truck carrying passengers and merchandise killing 65 people.
Veligonda railway disaster
Massive flash flood washed away a railway bridge in Veligonda area south of Hyderabad in 2005 in one of the deadliest mishaps in India. The incident reported to have killed around 114 people.
Rafiganj rail bridge disaster
In another chilling mishap, a suspected Maoist sabotage caused collapse of bridge over the Dhave River in Bihar and subsequently derailment of Howrah Rajdhani Express which killed 130 people and left more than 150 injured.