At least 60 dead, including children in India bridge collapse

(CNN) — At least 60 people have died in Morbi, India from the bridge collapse according to the Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment of Gujrat, Brijesh Merja on Sunday.

Speaking to NDTV in an on-camera interview from the site of the tragedy, he said at least 17 people are being treated in the hospital.

Among the at least 60 dead, are children, MP Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya told NDTV in an on-air interview.

Earlier, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Labour and Employment of Gujrat, Brijesh Merja, confirmed that the bridge had been recently renovated and that the government is going to find out how and why the incident occurred, but that the current focus was on search and rescue operations.

The families of the victims will receive money from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, according to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi tweeted saying he is “deeply saddened” by the tragedy at Morbi, saying rescue and relief operations are ongoing.

Chief Minister of Gujrat Bhupendra Patel said he is heading to Morbi and canceling all his pre-planned events for the day.

“I express my condolences to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the tragedy. The state government will provide Rs 4 lakhs to the family of each deceased and  Rs 50,000 to the injured,” Patel tweeted.

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