Several hundred people were on the newly renovated suspension bridge in Gujarat at the time of incident
Search and rescue work is going on as a cable suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi town of western state Gujarat, India, October 31, 2022 © AP / Ajit Solanki
The death toll has grown to at least 132 people following the collapse of a newly renovated bridge in the Indian state of Gujarat, authorities said as rescue personnel recovered more bodies from the Machchhu river on Monday.
The tragedy occurred around 6:30pm local time on Sunday, when hundreds of people were on the strucure, according to Home Minister of Gujarat Harsh Sanghavi. The rescue operations continued overnight. Many people were admitted to hospitals in critical condition, but some had succumbed to their injuries after being rescued.
“The death toll in the bridge collapse incident has gone up to 132,” a senior official told Reuters on Monday, expressing fear that the toll could rise even further.
The 230-meter bridge was built in the 19th century, during British rule. It reopened to the public this week, after a six-month renovation. It is believed the structure was unable to support the weight of the large number of people walking on it.
🚨🇮🇳 #India: Cable bridge collapses in Morbi, India. pic.twitter.com/jg8JqmnUBu
— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) October 30, 2022
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has discussed the tragedy with Gujarat senior officials.
“Relief and rescue operations are going on in full swing and all necessary assistance is being provided to the affected,” Modi said.
PM @narendramodi spoke to Gujarat CM @Bhupendrapbjp and other officials regarding the mishap in Morbi. He has sought urgent mobilisation of teams for rescue ops. He has asked that the situation be closely and continuously monitored, and extend all possible help to those affected.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 30, 2022
India’s President Droupadi Murmu has expressed condolences to all those affected, saying the tragedy in Morbi has left her “worried.”
“Relief and rescue efforts will bring succour to the victims,” the president said on her official Twitter account, which is run by her office.
