In Gujarat, a state in western India, a pedestrian suspension bridge fell, killing at least 132 people.
According to a local official, women, children, and seniors made up the majority of the deceased. Just a week prior, renovations had allowed the Morbi bridge to be reopened.
According to police, the bridge was crowded at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival.
During British administration in the 19th century, the 230m (754ft) bridge over the Machchu River was constructed.
It is anticipated that there will be more fatalities.
Teams from the police, military, and disaster response were sent in, and the rescue operation went on all night. Rescue efforts are still being conducted.
Officials reported that more than 177 persons have so far been saved.
According to a witness by the name of Sukram, “Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they came here as tourists.”
The bridge crumbled owing to overloading as they all fell one on top of the other.
Several people could be seen clinging to the wreckage in social media videos as rescue workers tried to reach them. Some of the survivors managed to climb the shattered net of the bridge, while others were able to swim to the banks of the river.
According to reports, the bridge fell on Sunday at at 18:40 India time (13:10 GMT), killing several hundred people.
Before it collapsed, a video showed it to be crowded with people, swaying, and many of them holding onto the netting on its sides.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has pledged compensation for the families of victims, is from the state of Gujarat. He expressed his “great sadness” over the tragedy.
A thorough inquiry has been promised by the authorities. Whether safety inspections were performed before the bridge was reopened is a matter of debate. It is a well-liked tourist destination known as Julto Pul in the area (swinging bridge).
According to Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, criminal cases have been opened in connection with the occurrence under several different legal provisions.
At the time of the occurrence, Prateek Vasava was standing on the bridge. He described how he had swum to the river’s shore to the Gujarati-language 24-hour news station.
He said: “I sought to drag some of them along with me but they had drowned or got washed away.” Several kids fell into the river, he continued.
Videos captured scenes of pandemonium as bystanders on the riverbanks attempted to save people who had become submerged as night fell.