President Putin Offers Condolences To Indian President Over Bridge Collapse

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed his condolences over a deadly bridge collapse to India’s President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His message was published on the Kremlin website on Monday.

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

Putin conveyed his words of sympathy and support to the families and friends of the victims, and wished all those injured a speedy recovery.

A suspension bridge over the Machchhu River in the town of Morbi collapsed on Sunday. There were about 500 people on the bridge at the time of the incident. According to the latest data, 141 people, mostly women and children, were killed and 177 suffered injuries. The bridge, a popular tourist destination constructed over 100 years ago, reopened after reconstruction only last week. According to Morbi Chief Security Officer Sandeep Singh, the Oreva company that carried out repair works based on a government tender had not received a certificate of fitness from the authorities before opening the bridge to the public.