Dozens killed as antique hanging bridge collapses in Gujarat, India
Toll jumps to 134, could rise further as disaster and emergency teams from nearby districts arrive to help
The Indian government has formed a five-member team to investigate the collapse of a suspension bridge in Gujarati at the weekend, with the death toll at 134 by Monday.
Police have registered a criminal case against unnamed persons responsible for the renovation, maintenance, and management of the bridge in one of the deadliest accidents in the country in 10 years.
The 145-year-old colonial-era footbridge over the Machhu River in the centre of Morbi town was packed with sightseers enjoying holiday festivities when it collapsed on Sunday evening, plunging people into the river 10 metres below.
Some 400 people had bought tickets to get onto the bridge to celebrate the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, less than a week after the span was reopened following renovations.
Video footage from the site in the western state of Gujarat on Monday showed rescue workers in inflatable boats searching the river for bodies.
Gujarat-based electrical appliances maker Oreva group was in charge of maintaining the bridge. The company did not respond to calls seeking comment.
A witness who identified himself as Raju told Reuters partner ANI that he saw people hanging from the bridge but they slipped and fell into the river.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former chief minister of Gujarat, sent condolences to the victims’ families.
“In this hour of grief, the government is with the bereaved families in every manner. The Gujarat government is carrying out relief and rescue operations since yesterday. The central government too is extending all help to the state government,” he said.
The 230-metre bridge was built during British colonial rule in 1877.
Armed forces personnel along with national disaster management and emergency teams from nearby districts were deployed to trace missing people and help with rescue operations, Muchhar said.
Recovery divers were searching the murky river for bodies, VVN Prasanna Kumar, a senior officer of the national disaster management team, told ANI.
“The only challenge is that this is muddy water that causes visibility issues,” he said.
“We suspect that there might be people trapped under the floor of the bridge.”