Sharjah 24 – AFP: At least 60 people were killed on Sunday after a 100-year-old suspension bridge collapsed in India, a senior official said.
"So far 30 bodies have been recovered. The rescue operation is going," Brijesh Merja, a minister in the state government of Gujarat where the incident happened, said.
Authorities said nearly 500 people including women and children were gathered on and around the bridge when the cables supporting it snapped, bringing down the entire structure into the river.
The bridge is located in Morbi around 200 kilometres (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.
The Press Trust of India reported the death toll as being at least 32, citing local health officials.
Reports said that more than 100 people were still missing in the river, showing videos -- which could not be independently verified -- of people clinging to the remains of the structure in the dark.
The British-era suspension bridge was only reopened to the public on Wednesday, after seven months of repairs.
Authorities launched a rescue operation following the collapse, with divers deployed to search for missing people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was touring his home state of Gujarat, announced compensation for those killed and injured in the accident.
Modi "sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue (operations)", his office tweeted.
For an optimal experience, please
