Indian bridge tragedy death toll rises to 120 lives after suspension bridge carrying 500 worshippers collapses into the river below during Diwali celebrations
- At least 120 people have died and another 30 have been injured near Morbi
- Video footage shows the collapse which left people clinging on for safety
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he is ‘deeply saddened’ by the tragedy
- Head of the police in Morbi said that a further 130 people had now been rescued
At least 120 people have died after a cable bridge collapsed in the Morbi area of Gujarat, Western India, on Sunday.
Authorities have said nearly 500 people were celebrating Dilwali on or around the pedestrian suspension bridge over the country’s Machhu River, when it snapped.
State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi said this included more than 150 people on the narrow bridge at the time.
At least another 30 people have been confirmed as injured in the tragedy, and a number of those killed are children.
Rescue efforts are continuing into the night with dozens said to be unaccounted for.
Rescue efforts have continued into the early hours of the morning to try and find people who became trapped in the water
Friends and relatives anxiously wait for news after a bridge collapsed in northern India killing at least 120 people
The Indian Coastguard (left) led the search and rescue efforts on the water, but dozens of ordinary citizens joined the efforts
The bridge was recently closed for six months while it underwent a refurbishment, and only reopened a week ago
Hundreds of people have anxiously lined the riverbank to watch rescue efforts as they await news of friends and loved ones
A large emergency response was deployed to the chaotic scene as victims were rushed to hospital
Rescuers have been pictured using heavy equipment such as cranes to help rescue those trapped in the waters below
The suspension bridge was extremely busy in the minutes before the collapse, with as many as 150 people walking over the river
Officials say the cause of the collapse could have been overcrowding, but have ordered a team to investigate
Some people managed to hold onto the end of the bridge and were left hanging in the air awaiting rescue
The bridge – known as Julto pul – is a popular tourist attraction in the Morbi area of Gujarat, western India
At least 120 people have died in the collapse, with many of those left in the water attempting dangerous climbs to safety.
P. Dekavadiya, the head of police in Morbi, said: ‘We have recovered 120 bodies so far. The toll is likely going to increase as the search operation continues.’
He said more than 130 people had been rescued.
One witness told local media: ‘People fell on top of each other after the bridge collapsed. People had flocked to the bridge for rituals and because of the Diwali festival. Many children and women were among the victims.’
Hundreds were plunged into the water below near the town of Morbi while dozens more were left clinging onto the bridge’s twisted wreck to await rescue.
Video footage shows people holding onto the bridge as emergency services struggled to rescue them.
Emergency workers flooded to the scene, including 50 navy personnel and 30 air force officials, along with a national disaster management team to trace missing people, the government said in a statement.
A five-member team specialising in infrastructure was appointed to conduct an investigation into the disaster.
Some of those who plunged into the water clambered up the broken structure to try to make their way to the river banks, while others swam to safety.
Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river bank after falling from the bridge, told 24 Hours Gujarati-language news channel that he witnessed several children drop into the river.
‘I wanted to pull some of them along with me but they had drowned or got swept away,’ he said.
The bridge had collapsed in just a few seconds, he said.
‘Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists.
‘All of them fell one on top of another. The bridge collapsed due to overloading,’ said one witness, who gave his name as Sukram.
Atul Prajapati, a medical officer at the state hospital near the disaster site, said: ‘We have found 120 bodies and the final rites process has begun.’
The bridge, known as the Julto pul, is a 140-year-old structure that had recently been refurbished and was reopened to the public last week after six months of work.
Images showing the bridge shortly before it collapsed revealed pedestrians were tightly packed together as they made their way across the river.
Officials said that the collapse of the structure could have been caused by overcrowding.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: ‘I am deeply saddened by the tragedy at Morbi. Talked to Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other officials about this.
‘Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to the affected.’
Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel tweeted: ‘I express my condolences to the families of the citizens who lost their lives in the tragedy of Morbi.
‘The state government will provide Rs 4 lakh to the family of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.’
‘The news of the accident due to the breakdown of the cable bridge on the Machhu river in Morbi, Gujarat is very sad.
‘Taking quick cognizance of the incident, the Gujarat government and administration have given necessary guidelines for relief and rescue. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.’
Minister of State Brijesh Merja tweeted: ‘Due to the accident on the suspension bridge, all the private hospitals along with the civil hospital have been ordered to provide immediate treatment.
‘Apart from this, orders have been given to take the injured people out of the water and take them to a private hospital in an ambulance, free of charge. Also, private hospitals have been asked to keep as many doctors as possible on duty.’
The incident comes ahead of elections in Gujarat, which are expected to be held by the year-end with the current term of the Modi’s ruling party’s term ending in February, 2023.
The bridge was first opened in 1879 and connects the Mahaprabhuji region to Samakantha.
The bridge is a popular attraction for tourists and locals, and was especially busy during this festive season, during which many celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja.
It had previously suffered significant damage following the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.
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