News

Bridge collapses killing over 90 in Gujarat, India

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2022

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A British-era bridge in Gujarat’s Morbi has collapsed just a week after renovation, killing at least 91 people yesterday, NDTV reported. It said search is on for over 100 others, who have fallen into the river. A special team has been formed to probe the matter.

The suspension bridge — 200 km from Ahmedabad — collapsed at 6.42 this evening when around 500 people had congregated on it to perform some rituals in connection with the Chhath puja. .

According to reports, around 100 people are still feared trapped in the waters of the Machchhu River. Videos from the spot showed many struggling in the water, trying to reach the bank in the dark. Many of the dead are women and children, locals say. Seventy people have been rescued and admitted to hospital.

The cable bridge in Morbi — nearly 150 years old and a popular tourist spot — was closed for seven months for renovation. It was reopened to the public on October 26, the Gujarati New Year. There was a Rs. 17 ticket to access the bridge.

“Renovation happened last week. We are also shocked. We are looking into the matter… The government takes responsibility for this tragedy,” Brijesh Merja, Gujarat’s minister for Labour and Employment, told NDTV in an exclusive interview.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Gujarat, tweeted, “I am deeply saddened by the tragedy at Morbi. Talked to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and other officials about this. Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to the affected”.

News

Easter Sunday bombings : Rs. 295 mn. paid as compensation

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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The annual reports of the Office of Reparations have revealed that over Rs. 295 million (295,499,069) have been paid as compensation to victims and property damage of the Sunday Easter bombings.

Under this, Rs. 273,747,000 have been paid as compensation for 719 victims while Rs. 21,752,069 have been paid as compensation for property damages.

News

350 medical specialists have left SL

Published

7 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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A study conducted by a group of specialist doctors at the Ministry of Health has revealed that 350 specialists have left the country during recent times.

Many of them have left for countries such as UK and Australia. According to a spokesperson of the ministry, economic hardships have been cited as one of the main reasons for them to do so.
Doctors suggest that the government should provide an immediate solution to this issue.

Commenting on the issue, Secretary of the Health Ministry – Dr. Palitha Mahipala says that there is still a shortage of anesthetists and pediatricians after most of them had left the country.

However, some who have gone for training, are returning after their training is complete, he adds.

Meanwhile, sources in the Health sector also say that over 200 nurses too have gone overseas, but new recruits have enabled to prevent hospital operations from continuing without hindrance.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

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Details of SL recruits in Russian military, sought

Published

8 hours ago

April 20, 2024

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Sri Lanka has sought a report from Russian authorities on details of Sri Lankan military recruits and how many of them have died during the Russian-Ukraine conflict, the ‘Aruna’ newspaper reports.

According to a directive by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia has forwarded this request to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Previously, the Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling and Maritime Crime Investigation Division (CID) arrested a retired major and an employment agent, identified as leaders of an organized scheme that recruited retired military personnel as mercenaries for the Russian army.

The Defence Ministry in Sri Lanka has urged the Tri Force commanders to brief Tri Force personnel not to fall for such rackets.

(Source : Aruna)