Fri, 29 March 2024
The Daily Ittefaq

Death toll from India bridge collapse rises to 141

Update : 31 Oct 2022, 14:43

The death toll from the collapse of a British-era bridge in India's Gujrat has climbed to 141, according to Indian media.

Several others are still missing while around 177 people have been rescued, private broadcaster NDTV reports.

A footbridge over the Machhu River in the town of Morbi was packed with sightseers enjoying holiday festivities when it collapsed on Sunday, plunging people into the river below.

Armed forces personnel along with national disaster management and emergency teams from nearby districts were deployed to trace missing people and help with rescue operations, NK Muchhar, a local government official, told Reuters.

The death toll could rise further, he added.

Authorities said more than 400 people were on and around the colonial-era suspension bridge at the time of the collapse. The bridge had drawn many sightseers celebrating the Diwali, or festival of lights, and Chhath Puja holidays.

A five-member team was appointed to conduct an investigation into the disaster.

The 230-metre bridge was built during British rule in the 19th century. It had been closed for renovation for six months and was reopened for the public recently.

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