At least 132 dead, many injured after India bridge collapse

The colonial-era bridge collapsed with hundreds being plunged into the Machchu river. Photo / via Getty Images

Officials say the death toll has increased to 132 and many are feared injured after a suspension bridge collapsed into a river in the western Indian state of Gujarat on Sunday evening, local media reported.

Suspension Bridge in BJP’s Gujarat collapsed. More than 400 people fell into water and got injured!

To be noted that, this bridge was renovated & opened just 5 days ago.

This is Gujarat’s development 👇 pic.twitter.com/8IQi9LHwZR

— YSR (@ysathishreddy) October 30, 2022

Officials told local media over a hundred people were plunged into the Machchu river when the bridge in the state’s Morbi district collapsed. It was not immediately clear how many people were on the bridge, but officials fear the death toll could rise.

The commotion outside a hospital where victims of the bridge collapse were being rushed for treatment in the Morbi district of western Gujarat state, Photo / AP

Days ago, the 19th-century, colonial-era bridge was reopened after renovation. Officials said that the bridge gave way because it could not handle the number of people on it.

“Due to the bridge collapse, several people fell into the river. A rescue operation is underway,” State minister, Brijesh Merja was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency. “There are reports that several people have suffered injuries. They are being rushed to hospitals.”

Hundreds plunged into river after the suspension bridge collapsed just days after it reopened following renovation. Photo / Getty Images

Videos on social media showed people clinging in distress on to the partly submerged bridge while another showed people swimming to safety.

Rescue operations were underway, with National Disaster Response Force Teams rushing to the site, local media reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in his home state of Gujarat on a three-day visit, said he was “deeply saddened by the tragedy.” His office announced compensation to the families of the dead and urged for speedy rescue efforts.