India : A suspension bridge in India carrying hundreds of people has collapsed in Gujarat, western India, killing at least 60 people and leading to a scramble to rescue people stranded in the Machchhu river, near the town of Morbi.
Ashish Bhatia, Gujarat’s director general of police said The death toll could increase, rescue operations are on and a number of people have been taken to safety, he said.
Officials said 400 people were on the structure at the time of the collapse. Video footage from the scene showed what remained of the bridge twisted and embedded in the muddy brown water, with scores of people clinging to the wreckage and shouting for help.
Officials said at least 30 people had been critically injured. Many have been rescued from the river and some are still missing,” said Amit Jhala, a senior administrator at the state.
India’s President Modi tweeted on Sunday evening that he had spoken to Bhupendra Patel, the Chief Minister for Gujarat, who had “sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops.”
The 230-metre historic bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public last week.
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.
