(Photo : MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
In India, a suspension bridge collapsed, sending dozens of people into the river below and leaving others hanging to what was left of the structure, killing at least 78 people.
In Gujarat, a state in western India, a pedestrian bridge collapsed, killing at least 78 people.
In Morbi town, hundreds of people fell into the River Macchu. Survivors may be seen hanging from the partially flooded suspension bridge in local video.
Bridge Collapses in Gujarat, India
According to reports, there may have been 400 people on the building at the time. Approximately 80 individuals have been saved, according to state minister Brijesh Merja. The event occurs only a few days after repairs were completed and the bridge was reopened.
The 230-meter (754-foot) colonial-era bridge was constructed in the 19th century while Britain was in charge of India. Locally referred to as a Julto Pool, it is a well-liked tourist destination nearby. The collision on Sunday happened about 18:40. (13:10 GMT).
Numerous children were on the pedestrian bridge when it fell, according to a witness who spoke to the news agency Reuters. One of the people on the bridge at the moment was Prateek Vasava, as per BBC.
He described swimming to the river bank after falling into the water to the Gujarati-language news station 24 Hours. As darkness came, chaos could be seen as bystanders on the riverbanks tried to save people who had become submerged.
In a another video, individuals can be seen scaling the bridge's netting wire remnants to get out of the sea. Rescue operations are ongoing into the night with the assistance of emergency personnel summoned from neighboring districts.
A bridge collapse in Western India has left dozens dead and missing. Take a look:https://t.co/B4PMEFDpde
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) October 30, 2022
According to officials, the victims were largely locals who went to the bridge for recreation. Video of the structure after it fell showed individuals grabbing onto what was left of it. Some attempted to reach the river side by climbing wires, while others swam to safety, The Independent reported.
India Bridge Collapse Video
Several children were seen tumbling into the river when the bridge crumbled in a matter of seconds, according to Prateek Vasava, who swam to the river bank after falling from the bridge and speaking to the Gujarati-language broadcaster 24 Hours. Over 80% of India's ceramic production is produced in Morbi, which is home to one of the largest ceramic manufacturing clusters in the world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he has instructed the chief minister of Gujarat to swiftly organize teams for the rescue mission and promised compensation for the relatives of the deceased. Modi is now on a three-day visit to his home state.
The event occurs before elections that are anticipated to be held in Gujarat this year since Modi's ruling party's current term ends in February. Before taking office as India's prime minister in 2014, Modi oversaw the state as its top elected leader for 12 years.
Near the town of Morbi, hundreds were thrown into the lake below, while many more were left clinging to the twisted wreck of the bridge while waiting for help. People may be seen on video hanging onto the bridge as rescuers work to save them. A national crisis management team and many emergency professionals, including 50 navy troops and 30 air force members, flocked to the area to look for the missing, according to a statement from the government.
A five-person team with expertise in infrastructure was selected to look into the catastrophe. Some of those who jumped in and tried to reach the river banks by climbing the collapsed building, while others swam to safety. After falling from the bridge, Prateek Vasava swam to the river's edge and reported what he saw to the Gujarati-language news station 24 Hours.
"The last rites procedure has started after we found nearly 80 victims," according to Atul Prajapati, a medical official at the state hospital close to the tragedy scene. The Julto pul bridge, a 140-year-old structure, was recently renovated and reopened to the public last week following six months of construction.
Pedestrians were closely clustered together as they crossed the river, according to images of the bridge taken just before it collapsed. According to officials, there may have been too many people inside the building, which led to its collapse.
The incident occurs just before the Gujarat elections, which are anticipated to take place by year's end because the present term of the ruling party under Prime Minister Modi ends in February 2023. The bridge connects Samakantha to the Mahaprabhuji area and was initially opened in 1879.
The bridge is a well-liked destination for both visitors and residents, and it was particularly busy during this festive period, when many people celebrate Chhath Puja and Diwali. It had previously sustained significant damage as a result of the earthquake in Gujarat in 2001, as per Daily Mail.
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