In Gujarat, a state in western India, a pedestrian suspension bridge collapsed, killing at least 141 people and still counting.
According to a local official, women, children, and seniors made up the majority of the deceased. Just a week prior, repairs had allowed the Morbi Bridge to be reopened.
At the time, the bridge was crowded with people participating in the Diwali festival.
During British rule in the 19th century, the 230m (754ft) bridge over the Machchu River was constructed.
It is anticipated that there will be more fatalities.
Teams from the police, military, and disaster response were sent in, and the rescue operation went on all night. Rescue efforts are still being conducted.
So far, more than 177 people have been saved.
According to a witness by the name of Sukram, “Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists.”
“They all collapsed on top of one another. Overloading is what caused the bridge to fall.”
Rescuers looked for survivors through the night.
Several people could be seen clinging to the wreckage in social media videos as rescue workers tried to reach them. Some of the survivors managed to climb the broken net of the bridge, while others were able to swim to the banks of the river.
Reports said several hundred people were on the bridge when it collapsed at around 18:40 India time on Sunday 30th October 2022.
A video shot before the collapse showed it packed with people and many gripping the netting on its sides, also a few kids can be seen taking a swing at the cables of the bridge and also kicking its cables.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has announced compensation for the families of victims, is from the state of Gujarat.
He expressed his “deep sadness” over the tragedy.
A thorough investigation has been promised by the authorities. Whether safety inspections were performed before the bridge was reopened is a matter of debate. It is a well-liked tourist destination called Julto Pul in the neighborhood.
Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi has said that criminal cases under various sections of the law have been registered in connection with the incident.
A survivor from the bridge told how he had swum to the river bank. Several children fell into the river, “I wanted to pull some of them along with me but they had drowned or got swept away,” he said.
Videos showed scenes of chaos as onlookers on the river banks tried to rescue those trapped in the water as darkness fell.
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