12 labourers killed in wall collapse at factory in Gujarat's Morbi district

PTI

Morbi (Gujarat), May 18

At least 12 labourers were killed when a wall collapsed at a salt-packaging factory in this district on Wednesday, officials said.

The tragic incident took place at Sagar Salt factory situated in the Halvad industrial area, said state Labour and Employment Minister and local MLA Brijesh Merja.

"At least 12 factory workers have died. Efforts to rescue others who might have been trapped under the debris are still on," he said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.

The tragedy in Morbi caused by a wall collapse is heart-rending. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2022

"The tragedy in Morbi caused by a wall collapse is heart-rending. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected," Modi tweeted.

Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragedy in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi https://t.co/AlbwctnOUy

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 18, 2022

The PMO also informed on Twitter that a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each will be given to the next of kin of the deceased from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund. The injured would be given Rs 50,000 each, it added.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to Twitter to express grief over the tragedy.

गुजरात के मोरबी में एक हादसे में 12 लोगों की मृत्यु अत्यंत दुःखद है। मैंने मुख्यमंत्री @Bhupendrapbjp जी से बात की है, प्रशासन राहत पहुँचाने में तत्परता से लगा है। घायलों को शीघ्र अस्पताल पहुँचाकर उन्हें उपचार दिया जा रहा है। शोक संतप्त परिवारों के प्रति संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूँ।

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 18, 2022

He spoke to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel over phone about the ongoing rescue work, he said.

હળવદ GIDC ખાતે દીવાલ ધસી પડતા થયેલી દુર્ઘટનાથી ખૂબ જ વ્યથિત છું. શોકગ્રસ્ત પરિવારો સાથે મારી સંવેદના.

ઘાયલોને હોસ્પિટલમાં પહોંચાડી તેમની સારવાર કરવામાં આવી રહી છે. ઘટનાસ્થળની રૂબરૂ મુલાકાત લઈને સ્થિતિનો તાગ મેળવીશ.

— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) May 18, 2022

CM Patel announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the victims and gave instructions to the district administration about the rescue and relief work, said a statement by his office.

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