India bridge collapse claims over 100 people (Video)
Over 100 people were killed when a suspension bridge collapsed over a river in western India, local media reported, Vondigest reports.
The accident occurred on Sunday evening in Morbi in the western Indian State of Gujarat, according to the report.
It was reported that 141 people died and 177 people were rescued when the bridge, which had recently reopened after renovation work, collapsed.
A police official said 132 people died, 100 injured, and some still missing.
At the time of the collapse, up to 500 people were on the 232-metre-long suspension bridge, the report added.
Pictures and videos on social media showed the pedestrian bridge appearing to break apart in the middle and several people clinging on to avoid falling into the water.
Authorities said nearly 500 people including women and children were on and around the bridge when cables supporting it snapped, bringing the structure down into the river.
The bridge, which had only recently reopened after repairs, is located in Morbi around 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Gujarat’s main city, Ahmedabad.
Local media quoted officials as saying that those on the bridge were performing rituals for a major religious festival when it gave way into the Machchhu river.
Local media showing videos — which could not be independently verified — of people desperately clinging to the remains of the structure and trying to swim to safety in the dark.
An investigation into the accident had been launched, Gujarat Labor Minister Brijesh Merja said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office said on Twitter that compensation would be paid to the victims’ families
Watch the video below:
BREAKING: Bridge with hundreds of people collapses into river in western India pic.twitter.com/eRRIk0aMsS
— BNO News (@BNONews) October 30, 2022
