Some 177 folks rescued and 19 individuals are receiving medical care as search operations proceed in a single day, officers say.
The demise toll from the collapse of a colonial-era suspension bridge in India’s western Gujarat state has risen to 132, in keeping with officers, as rescue employees labored by means of the evening, combing the Machhu river for survivors.
Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s residence minister, instructed reporters that the demise toll rose from 68 on Sunday to 132 early on Monday as search operations continued.
Gujarat’s Data Division mentioned about 177 folks had now been rescued, whereas 19 had been receiving medical care.
The bridge in Morbi, a city some 200km (120 miles) west of Gujarat’s essential metropolis, Ahmedabad, was constructed throughout British rule within the nineteenth century and had been closed for renovations for almost six months earlier than it was reopened to the general public final week.
A whole bunch of sightseers celebrating Diwali, or competition of lights, and the Chhath Puja holidays, had been on the 230-metre bridge when it collapsed on Sunday, in keeping with native media.
Tv footage confirmed dozens of individuals clinging onto the cables and twisted stays of the bridge as emergency groups struggled to rescue them.
Some clambered up the damaged construction to attempt to make their option to the river banks, whereas others swam to security. A number of kids had 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 noticed a number of kids fall into the river.
“I needed to tug a few of them together with me however that they had drowned or bought swept away,” he mentioned.
The bridge collapsed in only a few seconds, he mentioned.
One other witness, who gave his identify as Sukram, instructed the Reuters information company that the bridge had collapsed as a result of it couldn’t deal with the burden of so many individuals.
“Many kids had been having fun with holidays for Diwali they usually got here right here as vacationers. All of them fell one on high of one other. The bridge collapsed because of overloading,” he mentioned.
Gujarat’s authorities mentioned an investigation was underway into the reason for the catastrophe.
It mentioned greater than 200 rescue employees had been mobilised for the search and rescue operation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who’s in his residence state Gujarat for a three-day go to, introduced a cost of 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,428) to households of the lifeless.
The injured will obtain 50,000 Indian Rupees ($607), he mentioned in a tweet.
Poland, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Armenia and others despatched their condolences over the tragedy.
Italy’s International Ministry expressed its “deep sorrow” and “our condolences for the victims and our utmost sympathy to their households and all of the [Indian] folks at this tragic time”.
Deep sorrow of Italy 🇮🇹 for the collapse of the bridge over the Machchhu river in India. We categorical our condolences for the victims and our utmost sympathy to their households and all of the 🇮🇳 folks at this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/R5QivmzGrz
— Italy MFA (@ItalyMFA_int) October 30, 2022
The UAE mentioned it stood in “solidarity with India”, whereas Sri Lanka mentioned it was “shocked and distressed by the tragic accident in Morbi”.
Shocked and distressed by the tragic accident in Morbi, Gujarat, with the collapse of the bridge. The Govt & folks of #SriLanka be part of me in extending deepest condolences to the Govt. & folks of #India, particularly the households of the residents who misplaced their lives. (1/2)
— PMD (@PMDNewsGov) October 31, 2022