Death toll from bridge collapse in India’s Gujarat rises to 132

Some 177 individuals rescued and 19 persons are receiving medical care as search operations proceed in a single day, officers say.

India bridge collapse
Military troopers carry the physique of a sufferer after a suspension bridge collapsed in Morbi, Gujarat, India, October 31, 2022 [Stringer/Reuters]

The dying toll from the collapse of a colonial-era suspension bridge in India’s western Gujarat state has risen to 132, in line with officers, as rescue staff labored via the evening, combing the Machhu River for survivors.

Harsh Sanghavi, Gujarat’s dwelling minister, advised reporters that the dying toll rose from 68 on Sunday to 132 early on Monday as search operations continued.

Gujarat’s Data Division stated about 177 individuals had now been rescued, whereas 19 have been receiving medical care.

INTERACTIVE_INDIA_BRIDGE_COLLAPSE_OCT31-2
(Al Jazeera)

The bridge in Morbi, a city some 200km (120 miles) west of Gujarat’s most important metropolis Ahmedabad, was constructed throughout British colonial rule within the nineteenth century and had been closed for renovations for practically six months earlier than it was reopened to the general public final week.

Lots of of sightseers celebrating Diwali and the Chhath Puja holidays, have been on the 230-metre (755-foot) bridge when it collapsed on Sunday, in line 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.

A boat with Indian rescue personnel conduct search operations after a bridge across the river Machhu collapsed in Morbi
Indian rescue personnel conduct search operations after a bridge collapsed in Morbi [Sam Panthaky/ AFP]

Some clambered up the damaged construction to attempt to make their solution to the river banks, whereas others swam to security. A number of youngsters have been among the many victims.

Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river financial institution after falling from the bridge, advised the 24 Hours Gujarati-language information channel that he noticed a number of youngsters fall into the river.

“I wished to drag a few of them together with me however that they had drowned or acquired swept away,” he stated.

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

One other witness, who gave his title as Sukram, advised the Reuters information company that the bridge had collapsed as a result of it couldn't deal with the load of so many individuals.

“Many youngsters 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,” he stated.

Gujarat’s authorities stated an investigation was beneath manner into the reason for the catastrophe.

It stated greater than 200 rescue staff had been mobilised for the search and rescue operation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who's in Gujarat, his dwelling state, 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 stated in a tweet.

Armenia, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and others despatched their condolences over the tragedy.

Italy’s overseas ministry expressed its “deep sorrow” and “condolences for the victims and our utmost sympathy to their households and all of the [Indian] individuals at this tragic time”.

The UAE stated it stood in “solidarity with India”, whereas Sri Lanka stated it was “shocked and distressed by the tragic accident in Morbi”.

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