12 people, including a three-year-old boy, killed in wall collapse at factory in Gujarat's Morbi

PM Modi said that the tragedy is "heart-rending" and announced Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who lost their lives.

Police officers stand next to debris after a wall collapsed at a salt factory in Morbi (Photo credits: Reuters)

New Delhi: A wall at a salt packaging factory in Gujarat's Morbi district collapsed and killed at least 12 labourers on Wednesday (May 18, 2022). The incident took place at the Sagar Salt factory situated inside the Halvad industrial area. The officials said that the deceased included five women and a three-year-old son of one of the victims.

Two labourers were pulled out alive from the rubble and hospitalised, the officials informed.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state Labour and Employment Minister Brijesh Merja rushed to Halvad from Gandhinagar and ordered a detailed inquiry into the tragedy after visiting the factory premises.

Gujarat | At least 12 people died after a wall of a salt factory in Morbi's Halvad GIDC collapsed

12 people have died after an incident happened at Sagar Salt Factory in Halvad GIDC. Government stands with the families of the deceased: State Minister Brijesh Merja pic.twitter.com/lSBAaw2jJB — ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the tragedy in his home state "heart-rending" and said that the local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected.

"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," PM Modi tweeted.

He also announced Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in Morbi. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.

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 Gujarat chief minister also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of each victim.