His Holiness the Dalai Lama has shared that he feels deeply saddened following reports that dozens of people lost their lives after a bridge collapsed in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
A century-old suspension bridge spanning the Machchhu River in the city of Morbi collapsed on the evening of 30 October. Hundreds of people were on the bridge at the time. At least 141 people died in the incident.
In a letter to the chief minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel, dated 31 October, His Holiness said that he had offered prayers for those who had died and offered his condolences to the families of those lost their lives, and others affected by this tragedy.
“When incidents like this and the disaster in South Korea* take place, it is as if a calamity has befallen all of us. It is my hope that every effort will be made to prevent such tragic accidents occurring in the future,” His Holiness wrote. (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
The tragic accident occurred just days after the 230-meter bridge, built during colonial rule in the 19th century, had reopened following extensive maintenance and renovation. The bridge was reportedly crammed with people celebrating the Diwali festival when it collapsed.
A local official cited by the BBC said that most of those killed in the accident were women, children, and the elderly. More than 177 people are reported to have been rescued
* Buddhist Leaders Join Memorial for Victims of Deadly Halloween Tragedy in Seoul (BDG)
See more
Offering Condolences for the Victims of the Gujarat Bridge Collapse (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)
India bridge collapse: Death toll rises to 141, many still missing (BBC News)
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