Dozens killed after bridge collapse in India

Not less than 81 folks have been killed within the western Indian state of Gujarat when a footbridge full of sightseers having fun with vacation festivities collapsed and plunged them into the river beneath.

Reuters TV footage confirmed dozens of individuals clinging onto the cables and twisted stays of the bridge over the Machhu River within the city of Morbi on Sunday as emergency groups struggled to rescue them.

Some clambered up the damaged construction to attempt to make their method to the river banks, whereas others swam to security. Various kids have been among the many victims.

Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river financial institution after falling from the bridge, instructed 24 Hours Gujarati-language information channel that he witnessed a number of kids drop into the river.

“I wished to tug a few of them together with me however they’d drowned or bought swept away,” he stated.

The bridge had collapsed in only a few seconds, he stated.

Atul Prajapati, a medical officer on the state hospital close to the catastrophe website, stated: “We have now discovered 81 our bodies and the ultimate rites course of has begun.”

Dozens of individuals have been additionally injured, officers stated.

Authorities stated greater than 400 folks have been on and across the colonial-era suspension bridge on the time of the collapse. State House Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated greater than 150 folks have been on the bridge itself.

The bridge had drawn many sightseers celebrating the Diwali, or pageant of lights, and Chhath Puja holidays.

“Many kids have been having fun with holidays for Diwali and so they got here right here as vacationers. All of them fell one on high of one other. The bridge collapsed as a result of overloading,” stated one witness, who gave his identify as Sukram

The 230-metre bridge was constructed throughout British rule within the nineteenth century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the general public final week.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who’s in his dwelling state Gujarat for a three-day go to, stated he had directed the state chief minister to mobilise groups urgently for the rescue operation.

Fifty navy and 30 air power personnel have been referred to as in to assist together with a nationwide catastrophe administration group to hint lacking folks, the federal government stated in an announcement. A five-member group was appointed to conduct an investigation into the catastrophe.

Opposition occasion leaders alleged that the federal government had not carried out an intensive technical evaluation and cargo bearing capability earlier than it was opened to the general public.

Morbi is famend as ceramic manufacturing centre. 

The incident additionally comes forward of elections in Gujarat, that are anticipated to be held by the year-end with the present time period of the Modi’s ruling occasion’s time period ending in February, 2023.