INDIA: 60 dead in Gujarat suspension bridge collapse; It is reported that around 100 people have been injured; Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief

Gujarat: 60 people died after a pedestrian bridge collapsed in India's western state of Gujarat. The incident happened at 6.30 pm on Sunday. It is reported that around 100 people fell into the river. The accident took place in Morbi, 200 km away from the capital city of Ahmedabad. The death toll is expected to rise. News agencies reported that the rescue operation is in progress.

Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi informed that many people who were injured in the accident were rescued and shifted to the hospital. He explained that there were over 150 people on the bridge at the time of the accident. The central government is providing all possible support to the rescue operation. He stated that within 15 minutes of the accident, fire brigade, district collector, police chief, doctors, ambulances etc. reached the spot.

The 230-metre-long (754 ft) colonial-era crossing was built during the 19th century British rule in India. Hundreds drowned in Machu river in Morbi town. The suspension bridge, locally known as Jalto Pool, is a popular tourist attraction in the area. Emergency rescuers have been dispatched from neighboring districts for rescue operations.

Local footage shows survivors hanging from the partially submerged suspension bridge. Reports say that around 400 people were on the bridge at the time. Officials informed that the rescue operation is continuing at night. The incident happened within days of the bridge being repaired and reopened.

#WATCH | Several people feared to be injured after a cable bridge collapsed in the Machchhu river in Gujarat's Morbi area today

PM Modi has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops, while Gujarat CM Patel has given instructions to arrange immediate treatment of injured pic.twitter.com/VO8cvJk9TI

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2022

As darkness fell, footage showed onlookers on the riverbank trying to rescue those trapped in the water. Another video shows people climbing onto the remains of the bridge to escape the water.

In #India at least 32 people were killed as a nearly century-old suspension bridge on Machchhu river in #Gujarat’s #Morbi city collapsed, a local civil hospital official said.

The bridge was recently reopened for public after renovation. pic.twitter.com/URLRcAHFIw

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) October 30, 2022

The historic bridge, which was repaired five days ago, collapsed. After the repairs, the bridge was opened to the public on October 26, which is considered as New Year by Gujaratis.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state of Gujarat for a three-day visit, said he was "deeply saddened by the tragedy." After the accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi phoned Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to inquire about the details. He directed immediate rescue operations. Modi announced compensation for the injured and the next of kin of the dead. The Prime Minister announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the family members of those who died in the accident. 50,000 each has been announced for the family members of those injured in the accident.