INDIA BRIDGE COLLAPSE: Death Toll Rises To 141, Many Still Missing

Posted by: lukwago J in World news October 31, 2022

At least 141 people died when pedestrian suspension bridge collapsed in India ’s western state of Gujarati.

A local official said most of those who died were women, children and elderly. The bridge in Morbi had been reopened just a week ago after repairs. There was over crowding on the bridge at the time as people celebrated the Diwali festival, officials said.

The 230m (754ft) bridge on the Machchu river was built during the British rule in the 19th Century.

However the death toll is expected to rise further following the latest update as police, military and disaster response team have been deployed and the rescue effort is still continuing as more than 177 people have been rescued so far, officials said.

“Many children were enjoying holidays for Diwali and they come here as tourist,” an eye witness called Sukram told Reuters news agency.

“All of them fell one on top of another as the bridge collapsed due to over loading.”

However authorities have promised a full investigation as questions are being asked about whether safety checks were done before the bridge was reopened. its a popular tourist attraction known locally as Julto pul( swinging bridge).

Home minister Harsh Sanghavi said a number of criminal cases had been registered over the incident.

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